Charging an army, while All the world wonder'd : Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro' the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reel'd from the sabre-stroke Shatter'd and sunder'd. Then they rode back, but not V. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro' the jaws of Death Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. VI. When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wonder'd. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred! ODE SUNG AT THE OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. I. PLIFT a thousand voices full and sweet, In this wide hall with earth's inven tion stored, And praise the invisible universal Lord, Who lets once more in peace the nations meet, Where Science, Art, and Labour have outpour'd Their myriad horns of plenty at our feet. II. O silent father of our Kings to be Mourn'd in this golden hour of jubilee, For this, for all, we weep our thanks to thee! III. The world-compelling plan was thine,— And, lo! the long laborious miles Of Palace; lo! the giant aisles, Rich in model and design; Loom and wheel and enginery, Steel and gold, and corn and wine, Fabric rough, or fairy-fine, Sunny tokens of the Line, Polar marvels, and a feast Of wonder, out of West and East, And shapes and hues of Art divine! All of beauty, all of use, That one fair planet can produce, Brought from under every star, Blown from over every main, And mixt, as life is mixt with pain, The works of peace with works of war. IV. O ye, the wise who think, the wise who reign, And mix the seasons and the golden hours; Breaking their mailed fleets and armed towers, And gathering all the fruits of earth and crown'd with all her flowers. |