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...THE FAIRY CHILD by JOHN ANSTER THE GODS OF THE COPYBOOK HEADINGS by RUDYARD KIPLING THE DAY-DREAM: THE SLEEPING PALACE by ALFRED TENNYSON COMMENDATORY VERSES TO WILLIAM BROWNE'S 'BRITANNIA'S PASTORALS' by WILLIAM BASSE AN ODD CONCEIT by NICHOLAS BRETON THE SHEPHERD'S PIPE: FOURTH ECLOGUE. TO MR. THOMAS MANWOOD by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |