Text - Edward Ball 1793 - 1873 as Edward Fitzball

Yes! let me like a soldier fall
Upon some open plain
This breast expanding for the ball
To blot out ev`ry stain.

Brave manly hearts confer my doom
That gentler one may tell
Howe`er forgot unknown my tomb
I like a soldier fell.

I only ask of that proud race
Which ends its blaze in me
To die the last and not disgrace
Its ancient chivalry!

Tho` o`er my clay no banner wave
Nor trumpet requiem swell
Enough they murmur o`er my grave
He like a soldier fell.