Henry Alford

Sonnet LXVII. Waterloo.

They stood upon these plains, and side by side Did battle for the world, too long enthralled To the universal tyrant; one was called, And one was left to cross the homeward tide; Both in their glory, as in arms, allied: But the loud voice of fame is hushed asleep, Their sires are gone, no more their widows weep, Their orphan sons forget them in their pride. Yet deem not that they sold their lives for nought: Who, that hath springing in his breast the fount Of self--devoting love, the cost would count, So might he in those favoured ranks have fought, Increasing by his single strength's amount That blessed victory for freedom wrought?