COURAGE.
Reading edition
A generous few, the vet'ran hardy gleanings Of many a hapless fight, with a, fierce Heroic fire, inspirited each other: Resolv'd on death, disdaining to survive Their dearest country. "If we fall," I cry'd, "Let us not tamely fall, like passive cowards! No—let us live, or let us die—like men! Come on, my friends. To Alfred we will cut Our glorious way: or as we nobly perish, Will offer to the genius of our country— Whole hecatombs of Danes." As if one soul Have mov'd them all, around their heads they flash'd Their flaming falchions—"lead us to those Danes! Our Country!—Vengeance!" was the general cry.