Classic and Contemporary Poetry
YPRES TOWER, RYE, by EDWARD CHARLES EVERARD OWEN First Line: Tower of ypres that watchest, gravely smiling Last Line: Live your dreaming fens, your bastioned hill. Subject(s): World War I; First World War | ||||||||
TOWER of Ypres that watchest, gravely smiling, Green marsh-meadows stretching far away, With long thoughts of famous deeds beguiling March unceasing of the ages gray, Once beneath thee Swayed the seaweed, churned and foamed the sea. Fleet of Frenchman, fleet of Spaniard thundered, Victor, vanquished, 'neath your little hill, Gaily fearless if they fled or plundered, You, who faced our foemen, face them still Now the reeds sigh, Young lambs frolic where tall ships sailed by. Tower of Ypres, a little slept your glory, Lips again are busy with your name, Ypres again is famous in our story, Ypres of Flanders, wrapt in blood and flame Here the spring song, There black ruin, hate and death and wrong. Dear gray Sussex town, your childlike beauty, Passing price and more desired than gold, Speaks to English souls of love, and duty Faithful in the little wars of old In our hearts still Live your dreaming fens, your bastioned hill. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THREE HILLS by EDWARD CHARLES EVERARD OWEN |
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