“Therefore now, restore the carpets, With a forfeit twenty-fold; And a goodly tribute offer Of your treasure and your gold: Sapienza, and the islet Cervi, ye shall likewise cede; So the mighty gods have spoken, Thus hath Palmerston decreed! Ere the sunset, let an answer issue from your monarch’s lips; In the meantime, I have orders to arrest your merchant ships.” X. Thus he spake, and snatched a trumpet Swiftly from a soldier’s hand, And therein he blew so shrilly, That along the rocky strand Rang the war-note, till the echoes From the distant hills replied; Hundred trumpets wildly wailing, Poured their blast on every side; And the loud and hearty shout of Britain rent the skies, “Three cheers for noble Palmerston!—another cheer for Wyse!” XI. Gentles! I am very sorry That I cannot yet relate, Of this gallant expedition, What has been the final fate. Whether Athens was bombarded For her Jew-coercing crimes, Hath not been as yet reported In the columns of the _Times_. But the last accounts assure us of some valuable spoil: Various coasting vessels, laden with tobacco, fruit, and oil. XII. Ancient chiefs! that sailed with Jason O’er the wild and stormy waves— Let not sounds of later triumphs Stir you in your quiet graves! Other Argonauts have ventured To your old Hellenic shore, But they will not live in story, Like the valiant men of yore. O! ’tis more than shame and sorrow thus to jest upon a theme That, for Britain’s fame and glory, all would wish to be a dream! MY PENINSULAR MEDAL. BY AN OLD PENINSULAR. PART VI.—CHAPTER XV. Early in the morning I was surprised by a visit from Mr Chesterfield. He had received information, which he wished to communicate. From other British officers, then in the town, he had learned that the state of the country through which we had to pass was far from satisfactory; and one or two had even told him that, in the course of this day’s march, we should certainly be attacked. Mr Chesterfield added that he had attempted, under the circumstances, to obtain an addition to our escort, but without success; there were but few troops in the place, and none could be spared. He wished, therefore, to know what course I thought preferable; whether to wait till fresh parties bound to headquarters came up, or to proceed at once.