“Said Red-Ribboned Evans”

On the 26th of March 1836, Wordsworth sent the following lines to Henry Crabb Robinson; written, he tells him, “immediately on reading Evans’s modest self-defence speech the other day.” George de Lacy Evans was radical member of Parliament for Westminster. “In 1835, he took command of the British Legion raised for the service of the Queen Regent of Spain against Don Carlos.” (Professor Dowden.)--ED.

Said red-ribboned Evans: “My legions in Spain Were at sixes and sevens; Now they’re famished or slain: But no fault of mine, For, like brave Philip Sidney, In campaigning I shine, A true knight of his kidney. Sound flogging and fighting No chief, on my troth, E’er took such delight in As I in them both. Fontarabbia can tell How my eyes watched the foe, Hernani knows well That our feet were not slow; Our hospitals, too, They are matchless in story; Where her thousands Fate slew, All panting for glory.” Alas for this Hero! His fame touched the skies, Then fell below zero, Never, never to rise! For him to Westminster Did Prudence convey, There safe as a Spinster The Patriot to play. But why be so glad on His feats or his fall? He’s got his red ribbon, And laughs at us all.

1837