Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BURGHERS' BATTLE by WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896)

Poet Analysis

First Line: THICK RISE THE SPEAR-SHAFTS O'ER THE LAND
Last Line: FOR WE RETURN NO MORE.
THICK rise the spear-shafts o'er the land
That erst the harvest bore;
The sword is heavy in the hand,
@3And we return no more.@1
The light wind waves the Ruddy Fox,
Our banner of the war,
And ripples in the Running Ox,
@3And we return no more.@1
Across our stubble acres now
The teams go four and four;
But outworn elders guide the plough,
@3And we return no more.@1
And now the women, heavy-eyed,
Turn through the open door
From gazing down the highway wide,
@3Where we return no more.@1
The shadows of the fruited close
Dapple the feast-hall floor;
There lie our dogs and dream and doze,
@3And we return no more.@1
Down from the minster tower to-day
Fall the soft chimes of yore
Amidst the chattering jackdaws' play:
@3And we return no more.@1
But underneath the streets are still;
Noon, and the market's o'er!
Back go the goodwives o'er the hill;
@3For we return no more.@1
What merchant to our gates shall come?
What wise man bring us lore?
What abbot ride away to Rome,
@3Now we return no more?@1
What mayor shall rule the hall we built?
Whose scarlet sweep the floor?
What judge shall doom the robber's guilt,
@3Now we return no more?@1
New houses in the streets shall rise
Where builded we before,
Of other stone wrought otherwise;
@3For we return no more.@1
And crops shall cover field and hill,
Unlike what once they bore,
And all be done without our will,
@3Now we return no more.@1
Look up! the arrows streak the sky,
The horns of battle roar;
The long spears lower and draw nigh,
@3And we return no more.@1
Remember how, beside the wain,
We spoke the word of war,
And sow'd this harvest of the plain,
@3And we return no more.@1
Lay spears about the Ruddy Fox!
The days of old are o'er;
Heave sword about the Running Ox!
@3For we return no more.@1



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