2. Notes: Line 13, page 312, refers to the custom

of painting or carving the head of a hero on the bow of a ship.—Lines 16-17, page 312. Formerly a bell was the prize given the victor in a race.

THE SONG OF THE CAMP

BY BAYARD TAYLOR

This is a song of the Crimean War, a war between Russia on one side and Turkey, Great Britain, France, and Sardinia on the other. Guarding Sebastopol (the chief city of the Crimea) were several forts among which were the Redan and the Malakoff, mentioned herein. These, as well as the works of Balaklava, were held by the Russians. It was at Balaklava, you will recall, that the "Charge of the Light Brigade" was made, a charge made famous by Tennyson's poem.

"Give us a song!" the soldiers cried, The outer trenches guarding, When the heated guns of the camps allied Grew weary of bombarding.

The dark Redan, in silent scoff, 5 Lay grim and threatening under; And the tawny mound of the Malakoff No longer belched its thunder.

There was a pause. A guardsman said, "We storm the forts to-morrow: 10 Sing while we may; another day Will bring enough of sorrow."

They lay along the battery's side, Below the smoking cannon— Brave hearts from Severn and from Clyde 15 And from the banks of Shannon.

They sang of love and not of fame; Forgot was Britain's glory; Each heart recalled a different name, But all sang Annie Laurie.

Voice after voice caught up the song, 5 Until its tender passion Rose like an anthem, rich and strong— Their battle-eve confession.

Dear girl, her name he dared not speak, But as the song grew louder, 10 Something upon the soldier's cheek Washed off the stains of powder.

Beyond the darkening ocean burned The bloody sunset's embers, While the Crimean valleys learned 15 How English love remembers.

And once again a fire of hell Rained on the Russian quarters, With scream of shot, and burst of shell, And bellowing of the mortars! 20

And Irish Nora's eyes are dim For a singer dumb and gory; And English Mary mourns for him Who sang of Annie Laurie.

Sleep, soldiers! Still in honored rest Your truth and valor wearing; The bravest are the tenderest— The loving are the daring.

1. At what time of day did the singing take place? Why, do you suppose, did the British soldiers sing Annie Laurie? Repeat some of the lines of that song.

2. What and where are the Severn, the Clyde, and the Shannon?