Bannockburn

Unflincing foot 'gainst foot was set
Unceasing blow by blow was met
The groans of those who fell
Were drown’d amid the shriller clang
That from the blades and harness rang
And in the battle-yell
Yet fast they fell, unheard, forgot
Both Southern fierce and hardy Scot
And O! amid that waste of life
What various motives fired the strife!
The aspiring noble bled for fame
The patriot for his country’s claim
This knight his youthful strength to prove
And that to win his lady’s love
Some fought from ruffian thirst of blood
From habit some, or hardihood
But ruffian stern, and soldier good
The nobl and the slave
From various cause th same wild road
On the same bloody morning, trode
To that dark inn, the grave!