In these lines the poet has described the story of a young man who sacrificed his life for his chief Napoleon when he had attacked the city of Ratisbon. Napoleon was waiting anxiously for the result. He was worried and was lost in thoughts about the result of the attack on Ratisbon. Suddenly a young man brought the news of victory, but after breaking the news to his chief the young soldier felldown on the ground and breath his last.

STANZA NO. 1: "You know --------------------------------------------------- with its mine."

In this stanza the poet tells us how Napoleon was waiting for the result of the attack on the city of Ratisbon. Napoleon was standing on the hill, and was watching the battle from the distance of one mile. He was worried and looking at the ground. His arms were locked behind and his legs were wide apart. He was completely lost in thoughts and was worried about the result of the battle.

STANZA NO. 2: "Just as perhaps-------------------------------------------- reached the mound."

In these lines the poet has described uneasiness of Napoleon who was waiting for the result of the battle, and also worried about the young soldier who brought the news of victory to Napoleon. Napoleon looked worried and was thinking about his plans of the battle. He feared lest he should lose the battle. He was waiting that when his commander Lanes might give him an indication of his success by waving a flag from the wall of the town. Suddenly, he saw a horse rider running towards him at full speed. The rider stopped his horse near the hill where Napoleon was standing and waiting for the result of the battle.

STANZA NO. 3: "Then off there ------------------------------------------- you saw his breast."

In this stanza the poet tells us the state of the young soldier. The young man was seriously wounded because he had been shot in the chest. He reached near the hill where Napoleon was standing and came down from the back of the horse. He was smiling and stood erect near the mane of his horse. No one could suspect that his chest had been shot in to two. He had held his lips tied because he was trying to hide his pain. He was fighting against death.

STANZA NO. 4: "Well, cried he -------------------------------------------- again like fire."

In this stanza the poet has described how the young solder disclosed the news of the fall of Ratisbon to his chief. He told that by the grace of God they had conquered Ratisbon and the armies had entered the city. He hoped that Napoleon would also join his army very soon. The young soldier proudly informs him that he himself had fixed the French flag bearing the picture of an eagle with flapping wings. Napoleon became very happy to hear the news. His eyes flashed with joy. He became hopeful once again about his future planes.

STANZA NO. 5: "The chief's eyes------------------------------------------- the body fell dead."

In these lines the poet has described the tragic death of the young man. Who had brought the news of victory to his chief? Napoleon became excited to hear the happy news of victory. His eyes flashed with joy. But when he saw that the young man was bleeding as a result of deep wound on his chest. He became sad and darkness spread before Napoleon's eyes. He asked the boy if he was wounded but the young soldier proudly said that he had been killed. Saying this he fell on the ground and breathes his last.

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MANSOOR ALI SHAH.