Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE TEN THOUSAND, by JAMES THOMSON (1834-1882) Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Hence through the continent ten thousand greeks Last Line: "to cries resounding loud ""the sea! The sea!" Alternate Author Name(s): B. V.; Bysshe Vanolis Subject(s): Courage; War; Valor; Bravery | ||||||||
Hence through the continent Ten Thousand Greeks Urged a retreat whose glory not the prime Of victories can reach. Deserts in vain Opposed their course and hostile lands unknown, And deep rapacious floods dire-bank'd with death; And mountains in whose jaws Destruction grinned; Hunger and toil, Armenian snows and storms, And circling myriads still of barbarous foes. Greece in their view, and glory yet untouched, Their steady column pierced the scattering herds Which a whole empire poured, and held its way Triumphant, by the sage-exalted chief Fired and sustained. O light and force of mind, Almost almighty in severe extremes! The sea at last from Colchian mountains seen, Kind-hearted transport round their captains threw The soldiers' fond embrace; o'erflowed their eyes With tender floods, and loosed the general voice To cries resounding loud "The sea! The sea!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UNLESS IT WAS COURAGE by MARVIN BELL THE QUALITY OF COURAGE by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET ON THE OREGON COAST; FOR WILLIAM STAFFORD by ROBERT BLY WORDS WITH WALLACE STEVENS by ROBERT BLY BUFFALO CLOUDS OVER THE MAESTRO HOON by NORMAN DUBIE A SONG OF COURAGE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE AUDACIOUS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON OH, THE WATER by DORIANNE LAUX IN THE ROOM by JAMES THOMSON (1834-1882) |
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