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1809.10
The Battle of Talavera [1]
William Tucker
The Universal Magazine, XII (September 1809), 224-225
A
Song.
Britons arise! the voice of glory brings
Illustrious tidings from Iberia's shore!
The Gauls are fled! the land with triumph rings—
Their eagles bathe their broken wings in gore
CHORUS.
Britons rejoice! your valiant sons have wrought
A mighty deed which breaks the Gaul's decree;
Britons rejoice! your sons have nobly fought,
Have won the cause, and made Iberia free!
When Gallia sent her lawless bands afar,
To trample laws, or make some throne a prize;
By spoil allur'd, the ravenous hounds of war,
On Spain's rich climate fix'd their greedy eyes.
Britons
rejoice, &c.
The guardian genius of Britannia's isle
Frown'd to behold a kindred nation's woe,
On Britons call'd to avenge a deed so vile,
And bade their souls with godlike fury glow.
Britons
rejoice, &c.
Soon as brave Wellesley on the shores of Spain
Arrives, and leads to war his dauntless few,
The Gauls, subdued by Albion's valiant train,
Crown'd with disgrace, their backward flight pursue.
Britons
rejoice, &c.
When Gallia's guns shall roar in foreign air,
And fate once more present so bright a chance,
For victory's sake, may Wellesley's arm be there,
And Albion's lions crush the wolves of France!
Britons
rejoice, &c.
Tilshead, Wiltshire Downs,
Sept. 1st, 1809.