SELECT POETRY. RONALD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 289, 14 August 1873, Page 7

SELECT POETRY. RONALD.

I (Lord Cabdlgan's Chargkr at Baiaclava.) Near twenty years have passed away Since charging through the bloody fray And Ronald's dead! ■, , ; He laid him down at set of sun, . And died, his race-of glory run, ' In paddock shed ! L If "Ronald's lord, so stern and proud, ' Looked on when his brave charger bowed To' Fate's decree, What fond farewell his tears "would speak The few that e'er rolled down his cheek — In sympathy ! But Ronald's lord was dead and gone, And slept beneath the Priory stone, , /; ; ,In sculptured pride ; Yet still will England? hearts so stout For steed and rider beat throughout The nation- wide. Ronald, if steed could speak, would tell The brave who fought, the brave who fell — The charge, the rally, Right, left, and front, and back again Through sulphur-clouds and iron rain, In the death valley ! He'd tell how sternly sate his lord His head, erect, his knightly sword Gleaming and rea>ly ; And how they rode along so gay, As on parade or hunting day, Grandly and steady ! Garter or Bath, if steed might deck, Ronald was worthy round his neck To claim and wear it : A soul he'd here, at leasr, below ; Beyond the grave 'tis, we all know, ' ' Profane to swear it !