Boldly they rode and well, Rode the six hundred. Flash'd all their sabres bare, All the world wonder'd: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro' the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reel'd from the sabre-stroke Shatter'd and sunder'd. Then they rode back, but not— Not the six hundred. Cannon to right of them, Cannon behind them Volley'd and thunder'd: Storm'd at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro' the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of Hell,All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. When can their glory fade? Oh! the wild charge they made! All the world wonder'd. Honour the charge they made! TENNYSON. THE HOMES OF ENGLAND. "Where's the coward that would not dare THE stately homes of England! O'er all the pleasant land! MARMION. The deer across their greensward bound, And the swan glides past them with the sound The merry homes of England! Around their hearths by night, What gladsome looks of household love Meet in the ruddy light! There woman's voice flows forth in song, Or childhood's tale is told, Or lips move tunefully along The blessed homes of England ! Is laid the holy quietness That breathes from Sabbath hours! All other sounds, in that still time, The cottage homes of England! They are smiling o'er the silvery brooks, And fearless there the lowly sleep, The free, fair homes of England! May hearts of native proof be rear'd And green for ever be the groves, And bright the flowery sod, Where first the child's glad spirit loves Its country and its God! MRS. HEMANS. THE VICAR OF BRAY. SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY A SOLDIER IN COLONEL FULLER'S TROOP OF DRAGOONS IN THE REIGN OF GEORGE I. IN good King Charles's golden days, And this is law-that I'll maintain, That whatsoever king shall reign, When royal James possess'd the crown, And read the declaration. The Church of Rome I found would fit Full well my constitution; And I had been a Jesuit, But for the Revolution. And this is law-that I'll maintain, Until my dying day, sir, That whatsoever king shall reign, When William was our king declared, And swore to him allegiance: Set conscience at a distance; Passive obedience was a joke, And this is law-that I'll maintain, Until my dying day, sir, When royal Anne became our queen, I blamed their moderation; And thought the church in danger was, By such prevarication. And this is law-that I'll maintain, Until my dying day, sir, That whatsoever king shall reign, Still I'll be vicar of Bray, sir. When George in pudding time came o'er, My principles I chang'd once more, |