Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO THE BELGIANS, by LAURENCE BINYON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O race that caesar knew Last Line: Nameless, immortal dead. Subject(s): Damien, Father (1840-1889); World War I - Belgium | ||||||||
O RACE that Cæsar knew, That won stern Roman praise, What land not envies you The laurel of these days? You built your cities rich Around each towered hall, Without, the statued niche, Within, the pictured wall. Your ship-thronged wharves, your marts With gorgeous Venice vied. Peace and her famous arts Were yours: though tide on tide Of Europe's battle scourged Black field and reddened soil, From blood and smoke emerged Peace and her fruitful toil. Yet when the challenge rang, "The War-Lord comes; give room!" Fearless to arms you sprang Against the odds of doom. Like your own Damien Who sought that leper's isle To die a simple man For men with tranquil smile, So strong in faith you dared Defy the giant, scorn Ignobly to be spared, Though trampled, spoiled, and torn, And in your faith arose And smote, and smote again, Till those astonished foes Reeled from their mounds of slain, The faith that the free soul, Untaught by force to quail, Through fire and dirge and dole Prevails and shall prevail. Still for your frontier stands The host that knew no dread, Your little, stubborn land's Nameless, immortal dead. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO BELGIUM; CROWNED WITH THORNS by HELEN GRAY CONE WAR (ON THE GERMAN INVASION OF BELGIUM) by EDWARD BLISS REED TO BELGIUM IN EXILE by OWEN SEAMAN A BALLADE OF BROKEN THINGS by BLANCHE WEITBREC FOR THE FALLEN (SEPTEMBER 1914) by LAURENCE BINYON JOHN WINTER by LAURENCE BINYON THE LITTLE DANCERS by LAURENCE BINYON BAB-LOCK-HYTHE by LAURENCE BINYON |
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