The Irish standard., 1895-11-09

Fontenoy's Famous Fight.

- By Thomas Davis.)
Thrice at the Hunts Of Fontenoy. the
English column failed.
And, twice the lines of Saint Antoine,
the Dutch in vain assailed:
For town and slope were filled with fort
and hanking battery,
And we'll they swept the English ranks
and Dutch auxiliary.
As vainly. through De Barri's wood, the
SO British soldiers burst.
The French artillery drove them back,
diminishing and dispersed.
The Bloody Duke Of Cumberland beheld
with anxious eye,
And ordered UP his last reserve, his lat
est chance to try;
On Fcntenoy, on Fontenoy, how fast ms
generals ride!
And mastering come his chosen troops,
like clouds at eventide.
Six thousand English veterans in state
ly column tread,
Their cannon blaze in front and flank.
Lord Hay is at their head;
Steadily they step adown the slope
steadily they climb the nil;
Steady they load--steadE they hire, NOV
ing right onward still.
RetNixt the wood and Fontenoy, as
through q furnace blast.
Through. rampant, trench and pallsade.
and bullets showcring fast;
And on the open plain above they rose'
and kept their course,
With ready fire and grim resolve, that
rnccked at hostile force;
Past Fontcnoy past Fontenoy While
thinner grew their ranks
They break, as broke the Iuyder zee
through Hollands ocean banks.
More idly than the summer flies. French
tirailleurs rush around,
AS sta Die TO the lava tide, Frencn
souadrons strew the ground:
Ve~- and grape, ana rOunu SHol
tore. still on they marched and fired
Fast. rom each voliey, grenadier and
yoitiguer retired.
Push on my household cavalry! hl1ls
Louis ,radly cried; =
To death they rush, but rude their shock
rot unavenged they died.
On through the camp the column trod-
King Louis drops his rein;
Not yet my liege,' SAKE lnterposed
the Irish troops remain
And Fontenoy. famed Fontenoy' hao
been a Waterloo,
Were not these exiles ready then, fresh,
vehement and true.
Lord Clare he says, "you have your
wish. there are your Saxon foes!'
TIE Marshal almost smiles TO see' So
foriously he goes!
How fierce tke look these exilies wear,
who're wont to be so gay. -..
The treasured wrongs of fifty years are
in their hearts today
The treaty broken ere the ink where
With twas writ could dry.
Their plundered homes, their ruined
shrines. their women's parting cry.
Their priesthood hunted down like
wolves, their country overthrown,
Each looks as if revenge for all were
stsked on him alone.
On Fontenoy. on Fontenoy, nor ever yet
elsewhere,
Rushed on to fight nobler band than
these proud SXlIeS were.
C,Srien's voice is lloarse with JOY as,
hating he commands.
Fix bay'nets-charge!" Like mountain
storm rush on these fiery bands!
Thin is the English column now, and
faint their volleys grow,
Yet. nust'r ring all the strength, they have,
they make al gallant show.
They dress their ranks upon the hill TO
face the battle wind,
Their bayonets the breakers foam: like
rocks the men behind.
One voIIey crashing from their line, went
thorugh the surging smoke,
With empty guns clutched in their hands
the headlong Irish broke.
On Fontenoy. on Fontenoy, hark to that
fierce huzza!
Revenge! Remember Limerick! Dash
down the Sachsanach?
Like lions leaping at fold, when mad
with hunger's pang,
Right UP against the English line the
Irish exileS sprang.
Fright was their steel. it's bloody now,
their guns are filled with gore;
Through shattered ranks and severed
files. and trampled flags they tore.
The English strove with desperate te
strength paused, rallied, staggered,
fled
The green hillside is matted close with
dying and with dead.
Across the plain and far away, passed
on that hideous wrack.
While cavalier and fantassin dash in
upon their track.
On Fontenoy. on Fontenoy, like eagles
in the sun,
with bloody plumes the Irish stand-the
field is fought and won!