Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONNET: BUONAPARTE, by ALFRED TENNYSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: He thought to quell the stubborn hearts of oak Last Line: Perforce, like those whom gideon school'd with briers. Alternate Author Name(s): Tennyson, Lord Alfred; Tennyson, 1st Baron; Tennyson Of Aldworth And Farringford, Baron Subject(s): Napoleon I (1769-1821) | ||||||||
HE thought to quell the stubborn hearts of oak, Madman! -- to chain with chains, and bind with bands That island queen who sways the floods and lands From Ind to Ind, but in fair daylight woke, When from her wooden walls, -- lit by sure hands, -- With thunders, and with lightnings, and with smoke, -- Peal after peal, the British battle broke, Lulling the brine against the Coptic sands. We taught him lowlier moods, when Elsinore Heard the war moan along the distant sea, Rocking with shatter'd spars, with sudden fires Flamed over; at Trafalgar yet once more We taught him; late he learned humility Perforce, like those whom Gideon school'd with briers. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BETRAND AND GOURGAUD TALK OVER OLD TIMES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS BONAPARTISME by KENNETH REXROTH AN ISLAND (SAINT HELENA, 1821) by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON ADVICE TO A RAVEN IN RUSSIA by JOEL BARLOW INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP by ROBERT BROWNING NAPEOLON'S FAREWELL; FROM THE FRENCH by GEORGE GORDON BYRON BATTLE OF THE BALTIC by THOMAS CAMPBELL HOHENLINDEN by THOMAS CAMPBELL NAPOLEON AND THE BRITISH [OR ENGLISH] SAILOR [BOY] by THOMAS CAMPBELL A CHARACTER by ALFRED TENNYSON |
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