General Baron Langworth, (who unfortunately, but gloriously fell,)
commanded the German cavalry. The duke of Albuquerque was of
considerable service with his corps of Spanish horse, and Generals Payne
and Anson commanded the British cavalry. These troops brought off the
remains of the 23d dragoons, who, in a charge headed by Colonel Seymour,
had gotten entangled in a ravine and deep ditches, and were in danger
of being entirely destroyed.--They behaved with great gallantry, but
suffered a considerable loss, having however had the satisfaction of
baffling Victor’s (the duke of Belluno) attempt on General Hill’s
position.
St. XXII. XXIII. and XXIV.
These three stanzas have been added since the seventh edition.--With the
interesting circumstances which they attempt to describe, I was not
acquainted when the poem was originally written. They were indeed, I
believe, first made known to the public in a most impressive speech
delivered in the House of Commons, early in the last session, by Lord
Viscount Castlereagh; and I have only to regret, that I have not been
more successful in my endeavour to preserve, in my stanzas, the interest
and animation of his Lordship’s eloquent description. 1811.