The Battle Of Alexandria Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AA BCDDEEFF GGHH IIGG JJKK EELL MMLL NNOO HHKK PPGG LLKK GGQQ RHII SSTT EEGG TTJJ IIUUA | |
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It was on the st of March in the year of | B |
The British were at their posts every man | C |
And their position was naturally very strong | D |
And the whole line from sea to lake was about a mile long | D |
And on the ruins of a Roman Palace rested the right | E |
And every man amongst them was eager for the fight | E |
And the reserve was under the command of Major General Moore | F |
A hero brave whose courage was both firm and sure | F |
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And in the valley between the right were the cavalry | G |
Which was really a most beautiful sight to see | G |
And the th were posted in a redoubt open in the rear | H |
Determined to hold it to the last without the least fear | H |
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And the Guards and the Inniskillings were eager for the fray | I |
Also the Gordon Highlanders and Cameron Highlanders in grand array | I |
Likewise the dismounted Cavalry and the noble Dragoons | G |
Who never fear'd the cannons shot when it loudly booms | G |
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And between the two armies stretched a sandy plain | J |
Which the French tried to chase the British off but it was all in vain | J |
And a more imposing battle field seldom has been chosen | K |
But alack the valour of the French soon got frozen | K |
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Major General Moore was the general officer of the night | E |
And had galloped off to the left and to the right | E |
The instant he heard the enemy briskly firing | L |
He guessed by their firing they had no thought of retiring | L |
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Then a wild broken huzza was heard from the plain below | M |
And followed by a rattle of musketry from the foe | M |
Then the French advanced in column with their drums loudly beating | L |
While their officers cried forward men and no retreating | L |
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Then the colonel of the th reserved his fire | N |
Until the enemy drew near which was his desire | N |
Then he ordered his men to attack them from behind the palace wall | O |
Then he opened fire at thirty yards which did the enemy appal | O |
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And thus assailed in front flank and rear | H |
The French soon began to shake with fear | H |
Then the th charged them with the bayonet with courage unshaken | K |
And all the enemy that entered the palace ruins were killed or taken | K |
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Then the French Invincibles stimulated by liquor and the promise of gold | P |
Stole silently along the valley with tact and courage bold | P |
Proceeded by a pounder gun between the right of the guards | G |
But brave Lieutenant Colonel Stewart quickly their progress retards | G |
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Then Colonel Stewart cried to the right wing | L |
Forward My lads and make the valley ring | L |
And charge them with your bayonets and capture their gun | K |
And before very long they will be glad to run | K |
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Then loudly grew the din of battle like to rend the skies | G |
As Major Stirling's left wing faced and charged them likewise | G |
Then the Invincibles maddened by this double attack | Q |
Dashed forward on the palace ruins but they soon were driven back | Q |
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And by the th and Black Watch they were brought to bay here | R |
But still they were resolved to sell their lives most dear | H |
And it was only after of them had fallen in the fray | I |
That the rest threw down their arms and quickly ran away | I |
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Then unexpected another great body of the enemy was seen | S |
With their banners waving in the breeze most beautiful and green | S |
And advancing on the left of the redoubt | T |
But General Moore instantly ordered the Black Watch out | T |
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And he cried brave Highlanders you are always in the hottest of the fight | E |
Now make ready for the bayonet charge with all your might | E |
And remember our country and your forefathers | G |
As soon as the enemy and ye foregathers | G |
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Then the Black Watch responded with a loud shout | T |
And charged them with their bayonets without fear or doubt | T |
And the French tried hard to stand the charge but it was all in vain | J |
And in confusion they all fled across the sandy plain | J |
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Oh It was a glorious victory the British gained that day | I |
But the joy of it alas Was unfortunately taken away | I |
Because Sir Ralph Abercrombie in the hottest of the fight was shot | U |
And for his undaunted bravery his name will never be forgot | U |
William Topaz Mcgonagall
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