Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SHADE OF THESUEUS; AN ANCIENT GREEK TRADITION, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Know ye not when our dead Last Line: And spears on marathon. Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea Subject(s): Greece; Greeks | ||||||||
KNOW ye not when our dead From sleep to battle sprung? -- When the Persian charger's tread On their covering greensward rung. When the trampling march of foes Had crushed our vines and flowers, When jewelled crests arose Through the holy laurel bowers; When banners caught the breeze, When helms in sunlight shone, When masts were on the seas, And spears on Marathon. There was one, a leader crowned, And armed for Greece that day; But the falchions made no sound On his gleaming war-array. In the battle's front he stood, With his tall and shadowy crest; But the arrows drew no blood, Though their path was through his breast. When banners caught the breeze, When helms in sunlight shone, When masts were on the seas, And spears on Marathon. His sword was seen to flash Where the boldest deeds were done! But it smote without a clash -- The stroke was heard by none! His voice was not of those That swelled the rolling blast, And his steps fell hushed like snows -- 'Twas the Shade of Theseus passed! When banners caught the breeze, When helms in sunlight shone, When masts were on the seas, And spears on Marathon. Far sweeping through the foe, With a fiery charge he bore; And the Mede left many a bow On the sounding ocean-shore. And the foaming waves grew red, And the sails were crowded fast, When the sons of Asia fled, As the Shade of Theseus passed! When banners caught the breeze, When helms in sunlight shone, When masts were on the seas, And spears on Marathon. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FLOWER NO MORE THAN ITSELF by LINDA GREGG ALMA IN ALL SEASONS by LINDA GREGG ALMA IN THE DARK by LINDA GREGG ALMA TO HER SISTER by LINDA GREGG ALONE WITH THE GODDESS by LINDA GREGG APHRODITE AND THE NATURE OF ART by LINDA GREGG AS BEING IS ETERNAL by LINDA GREGG A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS |
|