Iii monologue — Ismael; an oriental tale. With other poems

Then to the hostile hosts, who adverse stand, The pride of France, the flow’r of all her land. Strain’d to the left he casts his eager sight, Where the proud eagle rears her tow’ring height; 30 These hardy troops, Napoléon’s brother led, While to the right Lobau’s brave squadrons spread. Erlon and Reille, in warlike tumults known, Of vict’ry hoping, in the centre shone; Not their’s, or sportive joust, or mimic fray,-- The fate of Europe hung upon that day. The mighty leader of each glorious band, For the first time, in arms confronting stand; While Vict’ry doubted which her palm might claim, For each was equal in the lists of fame. 40