BALACLAVA - BARLOW SONNET XXXV

Along the valley the wild riders speed. —

This is the complement of Waterloo:

That showed what English infantry could do:

To-day the horsemen win fame's deathless meed.

Horsemen and infantry are one indeed;

The horsemen are the English fiery soul

Loosened at length from years of still control, —

The others are the calm that did precede.

When English horse and English foot combine,

Who shall withstand that red tremendous line

Holding both passions of the English race, —

The calm still passion of its pent-up strength.

And fury as of the Light Brigade at length

Free for that fiery blood-splashed charge and chase!