Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A BALLAD OF THE FRENCH FLEET; OCTOBER, 1746, by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A fleet with flags arrayed Last Line: With thine horses through the sea! Subject(s): Boston; French & Indian Wars; Navy - France; French Navy | ||||||||
October, 1746 MR. THOMAS PRINCE loquitur A FLEET with flags arrayed Sailed from the port of Brest, And the Admiral's ship displayed The signal: "Steer southwest." For this Admiral D'Anville Had sworn by cross and crown To ravage with fire and steel Our helpless Boston Town. There were rumors in the street, In the houses there was fear Of the coming of the fleet, And the danger hovering near. And while from mouth to mouth Spread the tidings of dismay, I stood in the Old South, Saying humbly: "Let us pray! "O Lord! we would not advise; But if in thy Providence A tempest should arise To drive the French Fleet hence, And scatter it far and wide, Or sink it in the sea, We should be satisfied, And thine the glory be." This was the prayer I made, For my soul was all on flame, And even as I prayed The answering tempest came; It came with a mighty power, Shaking the windows and walls, And tolling the bell in the tower, As it tolls at funerals. The lightning suddenly Unsheathed its flaming sword, And I cried: "Stand still, and see The salvation of the Lord!" The heavens were black with cloud, The sea was white with hail, And ever more fierce and loud Blew the October gale. The fleet it overtook, And the broad sails in the van Like the tents of Cushan shook, Or the curtains of Midian. Down on the reeling decks Crashed the o'erwhelming seas; Ah, never were there wrecks So pitiful as these! Like a potter's vessel broke The great ships of the line; They were carried away as a smoke, Or sank like lead in the brine. O Lord! before thy path They vanished and ceased to be, When thou didst walk in wrath With thine horses through the sea! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A DIALOGUE BETWEEN GEORGE AND FOX by PHILIP FRENEAU RUNNING THE BLOCKADE by NORA PERRY TO LAURA, ON THE FRENCH FLEET PARADING BEFORE PLYMOUTH, 1779 by ANN THOMAS THE ILLUMINATION OF ENGLISH AND FRENCH FLEETS AT PORTSMOUTH by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER THE SHAN VAN VOCHT (THE POOR OLD WOMAN) (1) by ANONYMOUS THE SHAN VAN VOCHT (THE POOR OLD WOMAN) (2) by ANONYMOUS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW A PSALM OF LIFE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW BELISARIUS by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW BURIAL OF THE MINNISINK by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW |
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