THIS I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream: -- There spread a cloud of dust along a plain; And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes. A craven hung along the battle's edge, And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel -- That blue blade that the king's son bears, -- but this Blunt thing -- !" he snapt and flung it from his hand, And lowering crept away and left the field. Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead, And weaponless, and saw the broken sword, Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand, And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down, And saved a great cause that heroic day. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A DAY IN BED by KATHERINE MANSFIELD SONNET TO GEORGE SAND: 2. A DESIRE by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE VIRGIN MARY TO THE CHILD JESUS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THIRD BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 27. LOVE, AND NEVER FEAR by THOMAS CAMPION THE LADY POVERTY by ALICE MEYNELL DEAD IN THE SIERRAS by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER DEATH AND THE LADY; THEIR BARGAIN TOLD AGAIN by LEONIE ADAMS |