Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EMBARCATION, by THOMAS HARDY


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EMBARCATION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Here, where vespasian's legions struck the sands
Last Line: As if they knew not that they weep the while.
Subject(s): Boer War; South African War


(Southampton Docks: October 1899)

HERE, where Vespasian's legions struck the sands,
And Cerdic with his Saxons entered in,
And Henry's army leapt afloat to win
Convincing triumphs over neighbour lands,

Vaster battalions press for further strands,
To argue in the selfsame bloody mode
Which this late age of thought, and pact, and code,
Still fails to mend. - Now deckward tramp the bands,

Yellow as autumn leaves, alive as spring;
And as each host draws out upon the sea
Beyond which lies the tragical To-be,
None dubious of the cause, none murmuring,

Wives, sisters, parents, wave white hands and smile,
As if they knew not that they weep the while.





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