I. A CHINE of beef, God save us all, Far larger than the butcher's stall, And sturdier than the City-wall. II. For this held out until the foe, By dint of blade and potent blow, Fell in pell mell; that did not so. III. With stomachs sharper than their knives, They laid about them for their lives; Well, Eastcheap men, beware your wives. IV. Enraged weapons storm it round, Each seeking for a gaping wound, That in its gravy it seems drown'd. V. Magnanimous flesh, that didst not fall At first assault, or second maul, But a third time defied'st them all! VI. What strength can fate's decree revoke? It was ordain'd thou shouldst be broke; Alas! time fells the sturdy oak. VII. What goodly monuments still appear, What spondyl-bulwarks are there there, What palisaded ribs are here! VIII. This bold monument death defies, Inscribed thus, 'To mirth here lies A trophy and a sacrifice'. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRESIDENT GARFIELD by GEORGE SANTAYANA GOOD-BYE DOROTHY GAYLE: THE ROAD TO BUFFALO by KAREN SWENSON THE WILD FLOWER'S SONG by WILLIAM BLAKE ON PARTING by GEORGE GORDON BYRON TRUST IN GOD by NORMAN MACLEOD (1812-1872) FOR THE HOLY FAMILY, BY MICHELANGELO (IN THE NATIONAL GALLERY) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI |