First on our right the great, the gallant Hill, Obedient to our noble Chieftain’s will, The Enemy, tho’ strongly posted found, Their Left drove in--they quickly left the Ground. Dalhousie, Picton, then the conflict enter, Intrepidly advance against the Centre: This forc’d, they hastily commenced the flight, For Graham, boldly press’d upon their Right. Tho’ Cannon, Mortars, play’d from every part Sufficient to appal the bravest heart-- Tho’ show’rs of Bullets whizzing from each Spot (The French are rather partial to long Shot), Nor Shots, nor Shells, nor Legions in Array, Not for one moment check’d them on their Way; But Slow and Firm, progressively they move, And from each Post, the Hostile miscreants Drove. In vain th’ embattl’d Foe, with Warlike Band, Bristled with Cannon, could the Charge withstand. Slaughter, and Death, on every side they meet, And only find their safety in Retreat. The fact was this, the Fellows ran away, Commenc’d their Flight so early in the Day; In haste the Road to Pampeluna took, And Ladies, Baggage, Cannon, all forsook; Fighting gave up, and had recourse to Cunning-- They’re sure to beat us if it comes to Running. This I’ve observ’d, whene’er we Battle make, We overcome, but seldom overtake. And tho’ our Gallant Cavalry would fain Have shar’d the Glory of th’ ensanguin’d Plain, Their anxious wishes could not be effected, ’Twas so by Ditches,[102] and Ravines, protected. Joe, and Gazon, as Generals, must be scouted-- First out Manœuvred, then completely Routed. But of their Conduct, what we most upbraid is, They wanted Courage to protect their Ladies. Such dastards, as we generally find most, Secure themselves, the Devil take the hindmost, And now it was the Hussars[103] got their share, Took all the Coaches, Baggage, and the Fair. Not of their Gallantry I would speak slighting, No Troops, I’m sure, can beat them at fair Fighting. This was the Day on which our Gallant John Would crown his Fame, as he had told upon: Being by Order of his Chief dispatch’d-- Bent on his purpose, he th’ occasion watch’d; Eager in search of Glory, and Renown, Dash’d, with some Hussars, boldly into Town. Joe, who had heard of the Hussars’ approach, Had with his Ladies hustled to his Coach; There, finding they were close upon his Back, Quickly[104] bounc’d out, and jump’d upon a Hack; In wild disorder, and in strange dismay, Spurr’d thro’ the Crowd, in hopes to steal away. Our Hero, in mean time, dash’d to and fro, By accident o’ertook poor scampering Joe-- And with his Sabre lent him such a Lick, ’Twas lucky that poor Joe’s skull was Thick, Who, to avoid the Blow, was stooping down-- The Sabre from his Hat, cut off the Crown. Whilst hapless Joe, escaping, tho’ full sad, He’d lost that Day the only Crown he had, But felt consol’d, when at a distance fled, His Crown had lost, but still had got his Head.