Browning's Shorter Poems

I. MARCHING ALONG

Kentish Sir Byng° stood for his King, °1
Bidding the crop-headed° Parliament swing:  °2
And, pressing a troop unable to stoop
And see the rogues flourish and honest folk droop,
Marched them along, fifty score strong,
Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song.

God for King Charles!° Pym° and such carles °7
To the Devil that prompts ’em their treasonous parles! 
Cavaliers, up!  Lips from the cup,
Hands from the pasty, nor bite take nor sup 10
Till you’re—­

CHORUS.—­Marching along, fifty score strong,
         Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song.

Hampden° to hell, and his obsequies knell. °14
Serve Hazelrig,° Fiennes,° and young Harry° as well! °15
England, good cheer!  Rupert° is near! °16
Kentish and loyalists, keep we not here,

CHO.—­Marching along, fifty score strong,
      Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song.

Then, God for King Charles!  Pym and his snarls 20
To the Devil that pricks on such pestilent carles! 
Hold by the right, you double your might;
So, onward to Nottingham,° fresh for the fight, °23

CHO.—­March we along, fifty score strong,
      Great-hearted gentlemen, singing this song!