REQUIEM UNDER the wide and starry sky And I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me: And the hunter home from the hill. THE VOICE OF THE SEA In the hush of the autumn night And I think of the fleet that sailed It seems as if 't were yesterday, And it all was long ago. Thomas Bailey Aldrich. THE "OLD, OLD SONG " WHEN all the world is young, lad, And all the trees are green; And every goose a swan, lad, And lass a queen, every Then hey for boot and horse, lad, And round the world away; When all the world is old, lad, And all the trees are brown; And all the sport is stale, lad, Creep home, and take your place there, God grant you find one face there Charles Kingsley. THE BATTLE OF AGINCOURT FAIR stood the wind for France When we our sails advance, Nor now to prove our chance Longer will tarry; But putting to the main, At Kaux, the mouth of Seine, And taking many a fort, With those that stopped his way, Which in his height of pride, King Henry to deride, His ransom to provide To the King sending; Which he neglects the while, As from a nation vile, Yet with an angry smile, And turning to his men, Yet have we well begun, "And for myself," quoth he, Or on this earth lie slain; Loss to redeem me. "Poitiers and Cressy tell, When most their pride did swell, Then when our grandsire great, By many a warlike feat Lopped the French lilies." The Duke of York so dread The eager vaward led; With the main, Henry sped Amongst his henchmen. Exeter had the rear, A braver man not there; Oh, Lord! how hot they were They now to fight are gone: Drum now to drum did groan, To hear was wonder: That with the cries they make Well it thine age became, The English archery Stuck the French horses, With Spanish yew so strong, And like true English hearts, Stuck close together. When down their bows they threw, And forth their bilbows drew, And on the French they flew, Arms were from shoulders sent; Scalps to the teeth were rent; Down the French peasants went: Our men were hardy. |