The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

THE FIELD OF WATERLOO.

247

Till from their line scarce spears' lengths three,
Emerging from the smoke they see
Helmet, and plume, and panoply,Then waked their fire at once!
Each musketeer's revolving knell,
As fast, as regularly fell,
As when they practise to display
Their discipline on festal day.
Then down went helm and lance,
Down were the eagle banners sent,
Down reeling steeds and riders went,
Corslets were pierced, and pennons rent;
And, to augment the fray,
Wheel'd full against their staggering flanks,
The English horsemen's foaming ranks
Forced their resistless way.
Then to the musket-knell succeeds
The clash of swords-the neigh of steedsAs plies the smith his clanging trade,1
Against the cuirass rang the blade 2
And while amid their close array
The well-served cannon rent their way,8
1 A private soldier of the 95th regiment compared the sound
which took place immediately upon the British cavalry mingling with those of the enemy, to "a thousand tinkers at work
mending pots and kettles."
2 [" I heard the broadswords' deadly clang,
As if an hundred anvils rang! "
Lady of the Lake.]
8 [MS.-" Beneath that storm, in full career,
Rush'd on the ponderous cuirassier;