Said red-ribboned Evans: “My legions in Spain Were at sixes and sevens; Now they’re famished or slain: But no fault of mine, 5 For, like brave Philip Sidney, In campaigning I shine, A true knight of his kidney. Sound flogging and fighting No chief, on my troth, 10 E’er took such delight in As I in them both. Fontarabbia can tell How my eyes watched the foe, Hernani knows well 15 That our feet were not slow; Our hospitals, too, They are matchless in story; Where her thousands Fate slew, All panting for glory.” 20 Alas for this Hero! His fame touched the skies, Then fell below zero, Never, never to rise! For him to Westminster 25 Did Prudence convey, There safe as a Spinster The Patriot to play. But why be so glad on His feats or his fall? 30 He’s got his red ribbon, And laughs at us all. 1837 ON AN EVENT IN COL. EVANS’S REDOUBTED PERFORMANCES IN SPAIN Mrs. Wordsworth sent this to Henry Crabb Robinson in 1837, “to show you that _we_ can write an Epigram--we _do not say_ a good one.” She then quoted it, and added, “The Producer thinks it not amiss, as being murmured between sleep and awake over the fire, while thinking of you last night!”--Ed. The Ball whizzed by,--it grazed his ear, And whispered as it flew, “I only touch--not take--don’t fear, For both, my honest Buccaneer! Are to the Pillory due.” 1838 “WOULDST THOU BE GATHERED TO CHRIST’S CHOSEN FLOCK” The following lines were cut on the face of a rock at Rydal Mount in 1838. There, they still remain.--ED. Wouldst thou be gathered to Christ’s chosen flock, Shun the broad way too easily explored, And let thy path be hewn out of the Rock, The living Rock of God’s eternal Word. PROTEST AGAINST THE BALLOT, 1838[404] Composed 1838.--Published 1838 Forth rushed, from Envy sprung and Self-conceit, A Power misnamed the SPIRIT OF REFORM, And through the astonished Island swept in storm, Threatening to lay all Orders at her feet That crossed her way. Now stoops she to entreat 5 Licence to hide at intervals her head, Where she may work, safe, undisquieted, In a close Box, covert for Justice meet. St. George of England! keep a watchful eye Fixed on the Suitor; frustrate her request-- 10 Stifle her hope; for, if the State comply, From such Pandorian gift may come a Pest Worse than the Dragon that bowed low his crest, Pierced by thy spear in glorious victory.