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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


BORODINO by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "ONE FOOT IN THE STIRRUP, ONE HAND ON THE MANE"
Last Line: ONLY LOVE TURNS AWAY FROM THE REVELLING CROWD / TO HER OWN ON THE PLAIN
Subject(s): "BORODINO, BATTLE OF (1812);RUSSIA;RUSSIA - NAPOLEONIC WAR;" SOVIET UNION;RUSSIANS;

ONE foot in the stirrup, one hand on the mane,
One toss of white plumes on the air;
Then firm in the saddle, and loosened the rein;
And the sword-blade gleams bare!

A white face stares up from the dark frozen ground;
The prowler will shadow it soon:
The dead and the dying lie writhen around,
Cold and bright shines the moon!

There's laurels and gold for the living and proud:
But the ice-wreath of Fame for the slain;
Only Love turns away from the revelling crowd
To her own on the plain!



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