The Soldiers of Sarsfield

Before the standards of his daughter flying
By Boyne's dark stream, even as a stag at bay,
Stood hapless James in arms ; yet loath to slay.
One faithful band alone, 'mid foes defying,
And perjured friends deserting and denying,
Clung round him as a breastplate through that day,
The fate they might avert not, to delay :
There, where ill-omened Dane, and Dutchman dying
Lay thickest, his wild slogan o'er the plain
Sarsfield's indomitable soldiers pealed,
In vain, alas ! for James ! but not in vain
For vengeance ! Soon Almanza heard once more
That cry : and Fontenoy's disastrous field
Those fatal bayonets dyed with kindred gore.