The Rebel Surprise Near Tamai Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCD EEEE FFGG HHIA JJKK JJLL GGEE MMNN OOPP EEQQ AALL RREE SSFF TUVVPWSS GGSS| 'Twas on the nd of March in the year | A |
| That the Arabs rushed like a mountain torrent in full drive | B |
| And quickly attacked General M'Neill's transport zereba | C |
| But in a short time they were forced to withdraw | D |
| - | |
| And in the suddenness of surprise the men were carried away | E |
| Also camels mules and horses were thrown into wild disarray | E |
| By thousands of the Arabs that in ambush lay | E |
| But our brave British heroes held the enemy at bay | E |
| - | |
| There was a multitude of camels heaped upon one another | F |
| Kicking and screaming while many of them did smother | F |
| Owing to the heavy pressure of the entangled mass | G |
| That were tramping o'er one another as they lay on the grass | G |
| - | |
| The scene was indescribable and sickening to behold | H |
| To see the mass of innocent brutes lying stiff and cold | H |
| And the moaning cries of them were pitiful to hear | I |
| Likewise the cries of the dying men that lay wounded in the rear | A |
| - | |
| Then General McNeill ordered his men to form in solid square | J |
| Whilst deafening shouts and shrieks of animals did tend the air | J |
| And the rush of stampeded camels made a fearful din | K |
| While the Arabs they did yell and fiendishly did grin | K |
| - | |
| Then the gallant Marines formed the east side of the square | J |
| While clouds of dust and smoke did darken the air | J |
| And on the west side the Berkshire were engaged in the fight | L |
| Firing steadily and cooly with all their might | L |
| - | |
| Still camp followers were carried along by the huge animal mass | G |
| And along the face of the zereba 'twas difficult to pass | G |
| Because the mass of brutes swept on in wild dismay | E |
| Which caused the troops to be thrown into disorderly array | E |
| - | |
| Then Indians and Bluejackets were all mixed together back to back | M |
| And for half an hour the fire and din didn't slack | M |
| And none but steady troops could have stood that fearful shock | N |
| Because against overwhelming numbers they stood as firm as a rock | N |
| - | |
| The Arabs crept among the legs of the animals without any dread | O |
| But by the British bullets many were killed dead | O |
| And left dead on the field and weltering in their gore | P |
| Whilst the dying moans of the camels made a hideous roar | P |
| - | |
| Then General McNeill to his men did say | E |
| Forward my lads and keep them at bay | E |
| Come make ready my men and stand to your arms | Q |
| And don't be afraid of war's alarms | Q |
| - | |
| So forward and charge them in front and rear | A |
| And remember you are fighting for your Queen and country dear | A |
| Therefore charge them with your bayonets left and right | L |
| And we'll soon put this rebel horde to flight | L |
| - | |
| Then forward at the bayonet charge they did rush | R |
| And the rebel horde they soon did crush | R |
| And by the charge of the bayonet they kept them at bay | E |
| And in confusion and terror they all fled away | E |
| - | |
| The Marines held their own while engaged hand to hand | S |
| And the courage they displayed was really very grand | S |
| But it would be unfair to praise one corps more than another | F |
| Because each man fought as if he'd been avenging the death of a brother | F |
| - | |
| The Berkshire men and the Naval Brigade fought with might and main | T |
| And thank God the British have defeated the Arabs again | U |
| And have added fresh laurels to their name | V |
| Which will be enrolled in the book of fame | V |
| 'Tis lamentable to think of the horrors of war | P |
| That men must leave their homes and go abroad afar | W |
| To fight for their Queen and country in a foreign land | S |
| Beneath the whirlwind's drifting scorching sand | S |
| - | |
| But whatsoever God wills must come to pass | G |
| The fall of a sparrow or a tiny blade of grass | G |
| Also man must fall at home by His command | S |
| Just equally the same as in a foreign land | S |
William Topaz Mcgonagall
(1)
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