My brave fellow soldiers, we are now on the eve of encountering the
enemy. See, there he stands in hostile array against you. He thinks to
terrify you by his formidable appearance. But you regard him with a
steady and a fearless eye.
Soldiers! the world rings with the fame of your deeds. Your glory is
imperishable: it will live for ever.
Regardless of wounds and death, you have ever been foremost where
honour was to be won. Recollect, then, your ancient fame, and let your
deeds this day show that you are still the same brave men who have so
often chased your enemies from the field; the same brave men who have
ever looked on death as a thing unworthy a moment’s consideration--on
dishonour as the greatest of all evils.
Band of heroes, advance! On, on to victory, death, wounds, glory, honour,
and immortality! (Hurra, hurra, General Fudge for ever!--lead us on,
general, lead us on!) Lead ye on, my brave fellows! Would to heaven my
duties would permit me that enviable honour! But it would be too much
for one so unworthy. Alas! I dare not. My duties call me to another part
of the field. I obey the call with reluctance. But my confidence in your
courage, my brave fellows, enables me to trust you to advance yourselves.
On, then, on, my band of heroes, and fear nothing! (General raises his
hat gracefully, bows politely to his “band of heroes,” and rides off to
a height at a safe distance, from which he views the battle comfortably
through his telescope.)