The R.S.M.

‘Atten-shun!

Stand by your gun!

And look in the Frenchies eyes,

They’re marching down at the sound of the drum

So many they look like flies.

Don’t be afraid of the French Cockade

They’re flesh and blood, like you,

We’ll scatter them over the battlefield

On this hill, near Waterloo.’

 

‘Right Dress,

Look at your best,

You’re here for the King and Queen,

Let’s have no slovenly army dress

If you die, they’ll say, ‘He’s clean!’

Your Red coat’s more than a match for the Blue,

It’s just a matter of course,

Old Boney’s riding across at the rear

Astride of his pure white horse!’

 

‘Eyes front,

Look to your gun,

And gather your cannister shot,

One can will decimate fifty French

And pile their bodies to rot.

You’ll tear the cavalry horse to shreds

And pile them high at the front,

They’ll have to clamber over the lot

While you’re reloading your gun.’

 

Stand fast!

Think of your lass,

How proud she will be of you,

Taking apart proud Bonaparte

At the Battle of Waterloo.

Hey gunner! You! Take over the gun

He’s slipped and died in the mud,

Don’t look so green at the sights you’ve seen,

He’s dead, and it’s only blood!’

 

‘You there!

Form in a square,

The Lancers are over the hill,

Wait ‘til you see the whites of their eyes

Then front rank, fire at will.’

Their horses speared on a line of stakes

The French turned back in fear,

The R.S.M. raised his voice up then,

‘We’ve got them - Blucher’s here!’

 

David Lewis Paget

Author's Note

R.S.M. - Regimental Sergeant Major; if you listen closely as you read, you should be able to hear the drums.

Reviews

[David Scott]

I could feel the heat and the ruch of adrenaline as the battle rose. Loved the meter you gave this! If you could not feel the drums then you were not paying attention... I enjoyed this straying away from your template.
A wonderful write and a pure joy to read.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

I do adore your use of populated wording, well done.

[Tate Morgan]

Napoleon was a good general but like all men who havew acheived greatness he reached a bridge too far. And so the englishj who have been the balancing weight on human society gave him a whooping. We all learn best who learn the hard way.

[Zahra]

Another wonderfully narrated piece from you. Thanks for sharing.

[Mark]

Was there a RSM Blucher at Waterloo? Is this, as are so many of your wonderful historic odes, fact based?
You know of course, that this put me in mind of my first Villanelle, "Old Soldier", though mine hadn't the historic veracity yours always seem to. BTW, posted a second Villanelle today, "An Old Poet's Lament"; give it a look?
Yes, indeed, the , the drums came through clearly. Had you not stated it was on the battlefield, I'd have imagined a parade ground, drilling.

[TPK Stories]

I could hear the drums as. I read this? Good story.

[Valentine]

Another great one..I love tales of olden history..so many people do not like it but I do..and yes I heard the drums and also marching feet..red coats,,,worn by the British for a long time..Katihe

[Anya Myth]

The battle of Waterloo... never read one like it before, but then again I don't think I read all to many poems in my short life so far. It was so very well written that the drums were just as expected, but also the marsh of the soldiers and the rifles (is that how you spell them?) going off.
Anyway, another wonderful poem, so just keep at it. :)

[quinfinn]

yes i heard the cadence of the drums while reading, and think that Wellington would be proud of this accolade. another solid piece!

[Marie]

It was hard--what with the Tejano music playing next door and the classical music playing in my own living room--but I heard them.
Excellent as always.