Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EPITAPH ON TOMBSTONE ERECTED OVER MARQUIS OF ANGLESEA'S LEG, by GEORGE CANNING Poet's Biography First Line: Here rests, and let no saucy knave Last Line: Who never meant to run. Subject(s): Legs; Waterloo; Battle Of Waterloo | ||||||||
HERE rests, and let no saucy knave Presume to sneer and laugh, To learn that moldering in the grave Is laid a British Calf. For he who writes these lines is sure, That those who read the whole Will find such laugh was premature, For here, too, lies a sole. And here five little ones repose, Twin born with other five, Unheeded by their brother toes, Who all are now alive. A leg and foot to speak more plain, Rests here of one commanding; Who though his wits he might retain, Lost half his understanding. And when the guns, with thunder fraught, Poured bullets thick as hail, Could only in this way be taught To give the foe leg-bail. And now in England, just as gay As in the battle brave, Goes to a rout, review, or play, With one foot in the grave. Fortune in vain here showed her spite, For he will still be found, Should England's sons engage in fight, Resolved to stand his ground. But Fortune's pardon I must beg; She meant not to disarm, For when she lopped the hero's leg, She did not seek his harm, And but indulged a harmless whim; Since he could walk with one, She saw two legs were lost on him, Who never meant to run. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DYNASTS: 3. ACT SIXTH by THOMAS HARDY SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 28. WATERLOO by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) THE RED CROSS OF ENGLAND: ENTRY OF THE MARINES by ELIZA COOK ON A DRAWING OF THE ELM-TREE; ... DUKE OF WELLINGTON STOOD by GEORGE CRABBE ON SCOTT'S 'THE FIELD OF WATERLOO' by THOMAS ERSKINE THE PASSING OF THE EMPEROR by AVERY L. GILES TO THE MEMORY OF SIR HENRY ELLIS, WHO FELL ... WATERLOO by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS THE FRIEND OF HUMANITY AND THE KNIFE-GRINDER by GEORGE CANNING |
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