We lent to Alexander the strength of Hercules,

     The wisdom of our foreheads, the cunning of our knees;

     We bowed our necks to service: they ne’er were loosed again,—

     Make way there—way for the ten-foot teams

           Of the Forty-Pounder train!

 

     GUN BULLOCKS

 

     Those heroes in their harnesses avoid a cannon-ball,

     And what they know of powder upsets them one and all;

     Then we come into action and tug¹ the guns again—

     Make way there—way for the twenty yoke²

           Of the Forty-Pounder train!

 

     CAVALRY³ HORSES

 

     By the brand on my shoulder, the finest of tunes⁴

     Is played by the Lancers, Hussars, and Dragoons,

     And it’s sweeter than “Stables” or “Water” to me—

     The Cavalry Canter of “Bonnie Dundee”!

 

     Then feed us and break us and handle and groom⁶,

     And give us good riders and plenty of room,

     And launch us in column of squadron and see

     The way of the war-horse to “Bonnie Dundee”!

 

     SCREW-GUN MULES⁷

 

     As me and my companions were scrambling⁸ up a hill,

     The path was lost in rolling stones, but we went forward still;

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