Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 35. BALACLAVA, by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913)


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SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 35. BALACLAVA, by                    
First Line: Along the valley the wild riders speed
Last Line: Free for that fiery blood-splashed charge and chase!
Subject(s): Balaclava, Crimea


Along the valley the wild riders speed.—
This is the complement of Waterloo:
That showed what English infantry could do:
To-day the horsemen win fame's deathless meed.
Horsemen and infantry are one indeed;
The horsemen are the English fiery soul
Loosened at length from years of still control,—
The others are the calm that did precede.

When English horse and English foot combine,
Who shall withstand that red tremendous line
Holding both passions of the English race,—
The calm still passion of its pent-up strength,
And fury as of the Light Brigade at length
Free for that fiery blood-splashed charge and chase!





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