The Hero Of Rorke's Drift Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCD EEFF GHII JJKK EEEE LMNN OOPP QQKK RRKK JJSSCC JJTU VVEW XXYY KKXX YYJJ KKEZ XXA2A2

Twas at the camp of Rorke's Drift and at tea timeA
And busily engaged in culinary operations was a private of the lineB
But suddenly he paused for he heard a clattering dinC
When instantly two men on horseback drew rein beside himD
-
News from the front said one Awful news said the otherE
Of which we are afraid will put us to great botherE
For the black Zulus are coming and for our blood doth thirstF
And the force is cut up to pieces shouted the firstF
-
We're dead beat said both but we've got to go onG
And on they rode both looking very woebegoneH
Then Henry Hook put all thought of cooking out of his mindI
For he was surrounded with danger on every side he did findI
-
He was a private of the South Wales Borderers Henry HookJ
Also a brave soldier and an hospital cookJ
A soldier of the Queen who was always ready to obeyK
And willing to serve God by night and dayK
-
Then away to the Camp he ran with his mind all in a shiverE
Shouting The force is cut up sir on the other side of the riverE
Which caused the officer in command with fear to quiverE
When Henry Hook the news to him did deliverE
-
Then Henry Hook saluted and immediately retiredL
And with courage undaunted his soul was firedM
And the cry rang out wildly The Zulus are comingN
Then the alarm drums were instantly set a drummingN
-
Then Fall in Fall in the commanders did cryO
And the men mustered out ready to do and to dieO
As British soldiers are always ready to doP
But alas on this occasion their numbers were but fewP
-
They were only eighty in number that brave British bandQ
And brave Lieutenant Broomhead did them commandQ
He gave orders to erect barricades without delayK
It's the only plan I can see men to drive four thousand savages awayK
-
Then the mealie bags and biscuit boxes were brought outR
And the breastwork was made quickly without fear or doubtR
And barely was it finished when some one cried in dismayK
There's the Zulus coming just about twelve hundred yards awayK
-
Methinks I see the noble hero Henry HookJ
Because like a destroying angel he did lookJ
As he stood at the hospital entrance defending the patients thereS
Bayoneting the Zulus while their cries rent the airS
As they strove hard the hospital to enter inC
But he murdered them in scores and thought it no sinC
-
In one of the hospital rooms was stationed Henry HookJ
And every inch a hero he did lookJ
Standing at his loophole he watched the Zulus comeT
All shouting and yelling and at a quick runU
-
On they came a countless host of savages with a rushV
But the gallant little band soon did their courage crushV
But the cool man Henry Hook at his post began to fireE
And in a short time those maddened brutes were forced to retireW
-
Still on came the savages into the barricadeX
And still they were driven back but undismayedX
Again they came into the barricade yet they were driven backY
While darkness fell swift across the sun dismal and blackY
-
Then into the hospital the savages forced their wayK
And in a moment they set fire to it without dismayK
Then Henry Hook flew to assist the patients in the wardX
And the fighting there was fearful and hardX
-
With yell and shriek the Zulus rushed to the attackY
But for the sixth time they were driven backY
By the brave British band and Henry HookJ
Who was a brave soldier surgeon and hospital cookJ
-
And when Lord Chelmsford heard of the victory that dayK
He sent for Henry Hook without delayK
And they took the private before the commanderE
And with his braces down and without his coat in battle array grandeurZ
-
Then Lord Chelmsford said Henry Hook give me your handX
For your conduct to day has been hereoic and grandX
And without your assistance to day we'd been at a lossA2
And for your heroic behaviour you shall receive the Victoria CrossA2

William Topaz Mcgonagall



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