John listen'd, scrap'd, and bow'd, and then retir'd: (Not that the Colonel's speech he much admir'd.) 'Come,' said his Friend, 'cheer up, & don't be glum. 'I've got a Biscuit, and a little Rum.' 'No, no,' said John, 'I'll from my Canteens borrow, 'We'll feast to-day, altho' we starve to-morrow. 'Then hand out, Teague, whatever is to spare, 'And let us all the Prog amongst us share.'
Now see him careless stretch'd upon the ground, Viewing with silent wonder all around. His brother Officers so oddly drest, Their ragged Jacket, and their purple Vest; Reg'mental Great Coats, batter'd, bare, and old; And Forage Caps that once were blue, and gold. Shirts of whose proper colour were no trace. Mustachios, Whiskers, that disguised their face. Yet all was lively, frolicsome, and gay, Full of their laughter--full of fun and play.
And now John's Hams and Tongues were all paraded, And by his hungry Friends were soon invaded; The flowing Cup they to each other bandy, They ate his Prog, and drank up all his Brandy. In course of conversation there arose A question, as to number of their Foes. One said there's Twenty Thousand; others swore There were, they thought, _at least_ as many more: As many more at least they would maintain-- Look at their Columns stretching o'er the Plain. John started up, astonish'd to descry The Hostile Army just below them lie. 'O bless my heart!' said John, 'what lots of Foes, 'They're scattered all about as thick as Crows.' He view'd them with a keen, astonish'd eye, Felt rather queer to find they were so nigh. But snugly kept his thoughts within his breast, Fearful they'd turn his ignorance to jest.
Now evening closed, and cast a silent gloom; 'Come,' says his friend, 'lay down, we'll make you room: 'Here take this Blanket, and beneath you spread, 'And here's a Stone, as Pillow for your Head.' John thankfully conformed to his advice, And, like the rest, was snoring in a trice.
Now the bold Leader of each Hostile Band, Manoeuvred for the 'vantage of the Land. At length great Wellington, with his Allies, Completely took the Frenchmen by surprize,-- Boldly descended in the midst of Day, Attack'd the French as they supinely lay; His Light troops skirmishing, began the Battle, Then thundering Cannon thro' the Ranks did rattle. Divisions to Divisions then oppose, But British valour soon overwhelm'd its Foes. Then burst the Cavalry with heroic speed, Charging their Squares, and every where succeed. Beat at all points, the dastard Frenchmen yield, Trust all to flight, and scamper from the Field. Thus the brave British, German, Portuguese, Fought, Conquer'd, Triumph'd at th' Arepiles; And I, to deck my story, fain would sing, How all the Salamanca Bells did ring; How Peasants unconcerned, th' ensuing Day, Plough'd thro' the honour'd soil where Heroes lay. But no--content I'll to my story keep, And so return to John I left asleep; Who, wrapt in slumber, care forgetting, lies, The Long roll Beat--he started, rubb'd his eyes. 'Why, what's the matter?--surely it is dark.' 'Aye,' says his friend, 'we rise before the Lark. 'Our Orders are to fall in every Morn, 'And stand to Arms an hour before the Dawn; 'Come, rouse my honest Fellow, don't be slack, 'At break of day the Frenchmen may attack.' John rose, but grumbled out, 'If I'd been told, 'They'd start me up thus shivering in the Cold; 'To go Campaigning, I would ne'er been led. 'But stuck to my own Corps, and Feather-Bed.' The Adjutant did now friend Johnny fix, To Captain Bull's division, Number Six; In Captain Buckett's company, when 'Lo!' Says John, 'I think I Captain Buckett know; 'His uncle's Tub the Brewer, I've no doubt,-- 'Old Buckett lives in Faringdon Without.' Soon recogniz'd--the Morn began to break; His Captain begg'd he'd half a biscuit take: 'Eat it, my boy, and mind what I shall say, 'I'm sure we shall have pepp'ring work to Day; 'And drink this Rum, for I'm apt to think 'We shall have more to do than eat and drink.' And he was right; in truth they soon did hear-- A sort of busy Hum came from the Rear. An Order from the General, to say, 'The Column was to move without delay.' John to his Captain stuck, but was perplex'd To think of what the deuce was coming next.