<P> Another cannonade was audible at some distance . At the same time that the two guns were furiously attacking the redoubt from the Rue de la Chanvrerie, two other cannons, trained one from the Rue Saint - Denis, the other from the Rue Aubry - le - Boucher, were riddling the Saint - Merry barricade . The four cannons echoed each other mournfully . The barking of these sombre dogs of war replied to each other . </P> <P> In modern English usage "dogs of war" is used to describe mercenaries . </P> <P> The phrase has entered so far into general usage - in books, music, film and television - that it is now regarded as a cliché . </P>

Cry chaos and unleash the dogs of war