Poems (Baldwyn)/The Victory

by Augusta Baldwyn

THE VICTORY.

Written on the Night of the Illumination.

FOR "THE NEWS."

Shine, brilliant lights, and tell the story
Of England's joy and France's glory;
Their flags o'er Russian tow'rs are shown,—
The work, the mighty work, is done.

O'er Alma heights they came in power,—
There was their first and glorious hour;
Through gloomy mists at Inkermann
Their steel in triumph conqu'ring ran.

O'er stormy wilds, o'er treach'rous foes,
'Mid labours that scarce knew repose;
In dire disease, in winter's cold,
Still were they valiant, patient, bold.

On sea, on land, the thund'ring gun
Told where their noble work was done;
The broad, calm heaven reveal'd the blaze
Of conquer'd cities to the gaze.

Soldiers of France, your praise shall ring
Through the wide world! each tongue shall
Of England's valour!—nobly blest,
A shield of nations,—glorious crest!

Sebastopol! the Russians' pride,
England and France its spoil divide;
And loud the Black Sea's moaning wave
Echoes above the war-ships' grave.

Let us rejoice that o'er the main
The allied fleet alone shall reign;
The allied armies too shall spread
Protection o'er the feeble head.

Down with all tyrants! Rise and reign,
Justice and Peace, o'er land and main!
And sacred truth in power be shown
Where'er the conqu'ring arm is thrown.

God save the Queen! and may the hand
So firm, so valiant, in command,
Soothe the sad hearts that now must mourn
For those who never will return.

Oh, Europe, nobly blest to be
The home of honor, liberty!
May ever sceptre bow in praise,
And every tongue its tribute raise—

To all who fought! to all who fell!
To all who serve the nations well!
To all who planted liberty
On land, on river, and the sea!

St. Johns, October 9, 1855.