1 "Behold the avenging arm of Heaven stretched forth, "To drive invasion from the favored North; "Then rise indignant in a sacred cause, "To guard your country's altars and her laws; "Twice twenty millions own the Russian sway, "And warlike myriads Russia's chiefs obey. "Then vain the hope presumptuous France has shewn, "Our states to conquer, or to shake our throne. "Arise, Muscovians, bear the cross abroad, "And carry justice on the ready sword; "With force resistless crush the invader's ranks, "And well deserve a grateful monarch's thanks." The starry wonders of the heavenly sphere, Protect the righteous, and the base controul (22). The blessed protection of the ethereal host; Upon his helm no more shall victory stand, Sons of the North, the brave Muscovians go Along the Dwina's banks the trumpet's bray, And echoing bugles rouse the battle fray : Engaging close, the adverse armies meet, The Russians follow as the Gauls retreat, Retreating to their strong entrenchments run, And close the battle with the setting sun. The live-long day the deep artillery's roar Shook the lone caverns of the sounding shore: On every side the wounded soldiers round, On either side the Dwina's banks along, The hardy Muscovites in thousands throng, Thy stream, Polota, flowing soft along, Witnessed the coming of the Gallic throng; When at the drum's deep roll, and trumpet's call, They rushed tumultuous to Polotski's wall: Then the fleet Cossack, with his lance in rest, Against the fire of Gaul opposed his breast; Not the firm bastion, or the palisade, Nor all the glorious arts of war essayed, Could for a moment Russian hands disarm, Or save Polotski from the coming storm. The harassed enemy pursued his way, Through many a stormy night and fearful day; Disasters still attend upon his flight, With all the terrors of the Cossack fight: Upon his rear, and on his flanks they came, And put his troops to a "perpetual shame." Thick round their heads the deadly bullets fly, The loud explosions stun the affrighted steeds, Expiring hundreds curse the fatal morn When to Muscovian plains their steps were borne : Even the rough boors their simple means employ, Bound hand in hand, and heart to heart, they stand, parent land: Ring from the village spires the loud alarms, Join in one common cause their iron arms; And brand for ever with a coward's name The wretch who basely seeks his country's shame (23). Nor let the British muse disdain to weep In holy drops upon the soldier's sleep; Even if the warrior own Napoleon's sway, And spends his breath on Smolensk's fatal day; Were frequent seen on old Kalouga's way, The Gallic eagles turn and seek the fray; Still to the wakening trump and beating drum, The tough-armed Yagers, and the Cossacks, come, |