James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.
December 3Hohenlinden
By Thomas Campbell (17741844)
O
All bloodless lay the untrodden snow,
And dark as winter was the flow
Of Iser, rolling rapidly.
When the drum beat, at dead of night,
Commanding fires of death to light
The darkness of her scenery.
Each horseman drew his battle-blade,
And furious every charger neighed
To join the dreadful revelry.
Then rushed the steeds to battle driven;
And, louder than the bolts of heaven,
Far flashed the red artillery.
On Linden’s hills of blood-stained snow,
And darker yet shall be the flow
Of Iser, rolling rapidly.
Can pierce the war-clouds, rolling dun,
Where furious Frank and fiery Hun
Shout in their sulphurous canopy.
Who rush to glory, or the grave!
Wave, Munich! all thy banners wave,
And charge with all thy chivalry!
The snow shall be their winding-sheet;
And every turf beneath their feet
Shall be a soldier’s sepulchre.