'The Charge Of The Heavy Brigade At Balaclava' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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The Charge Of The Heavy Brigade At Balaclava
PROLOGUE TO GENERAL HAMLEY
Our birches yellowing and from each
The light leaf falling fast,
While squirrels from our fiery beech
Were bearing off the mast,
You came, and look’d and loved the view
Long-known and loved by me,
Green Sussex fading into blue
With one gray glimpse of sea;
And, gazing from this height alone,
We spoke of what had been
Most marvellous in the wars your own
Crimean eyes had seen;
And now–like old-world inns that take
Some warrior for a sign
That therewithin a guest may make
True cheer with honest wine–
Because you heard the lines I read
Nor utter’d word of blame,
I dare without your leave to head
These rhymings with your name,
Who know you but as one of those
I fain would meet again,
Yet know you, as your England knows
That you and all your men
Were soldiers to her heart’s desire,
When, in the vanish’d year,
You saw the league-long rampart-fire
Flare from Tel-el-Kebir
Thro’ darkness, and the foe was driven,
And Wolseley overthrew
Arâbi, and the stars in heaven
Paled, and the glory grew.
The Charge Of The Heavy Brigade At Balaclava
October 25, 1854
I.
The charge of the gallant three hundred, the Heavy Brigade!
Down the hill, down the hill, thousands of Russians,
Thousands of horsemen, drew to the valley–and stay’d;
For Scarlett and Scarlett’s three hundred were riding by
When the points of the Russian lances arose in the sky;
And he call’d, ‘Left wheel into line!’ and they wheel’d and obey’d.
Then he look’d at the host that had halted he knew not why,
And he turn’d half round, and he bade his trumpeter sound
To the charge, and he rode on ahead, as he waved his blade
To the gallant three hundred whose glory will never die–
‘Follow,’ and up the hill, up the hill, up the hill,
Follow’d the Heavy Brigade.
II.
The trumpet, the gallop, the charge, and the might of the fight!
Thousands of horsemen had gather’d there on the height,
With a wing push’d out to the left and a wing to the right,
And who shall escape if they close? but he dash’d up alone
Thro’ the great gray slope of men,
Sway’d his sabre, and held his own
Like an Englishman there and then.
All in a moment follow’d with force
Three that were next in their fiery course,
Wedged themselves in between horse and horse,
Fought for their lives in the narrow gap they had made–
Four amid thousands! and up the hill, up the hill,
Gallopt the gallant three hundred, the Heavy Brigade.
III.
Fell like a cannon-shot,
Burst like a thunderbolt,
Crash’d like a hurricane,
Broke thro’ the mass from below,
Drove thro’ the midst of the foe,
Plunged up and down, to and fro,
Rode flashing blow upon blow,
Brave Inniskillens and Greys
Whirling their sabres in circles of light!
And some of us, all in amaze,
Who were held for a while from the fight,
And were only standing at gaze,
When the dark-muffled Russian crowd
Folded its wings from the left and the right,
And roll’d them around like a cloud,–
O, mad for the charge and the battle were we,
When our own good redcoats sank from sight,
Like drops of blood in a dark-gray sea,
And we turn’d to each other, whispering, all dismay’d,
‘Lost are the gallant three hundred of Scarlett’s Brigade!’
IV.
‘Lost one and all’ were the words
Mutter’d in our dismay;
But they rode like victors and lords
Thro’ the forest of lances and swords
In the heart of the Russian hordes,
They rode, or they stood at bay–
Struck with the sword-hand and slew,
Down with the bridle-hand drew
The foe from the saddle and threw
Underfoot there in the fray–
Ranged like a storm or stood like a rock
In the wave of a stormy day;
Till suddenly shock upon shock
Stagger’d the mass from without,
Drove it in wild disarray,
For our men gallopt up with a cheer and a shout,
And the foeman surged, and waver’d, and reel’d
Up the hill, up the hill, up the hill, out of the field,
And over the brow and away.
V.
Glory to each and to all, and the charge that they made!
Glory to all the three hundred, and all the Brigade!
Note.–The ‘three hundred’ of the ‘Heavy Brigade’ who made
this famous charge were the Scots Greys and the 2d squadron
of Inniskillens; the remainder of the ‘Heavy Brigade’ subsequently
dashing up to their support.
The ‘three’ were Scarlett’s aide-de-camp, Elliot, and the trumpeter,
and Shegog the orderly, who had been close behind him.
EPILOGUE
Irene.
Not this way will you set your name
A star among the stars.
Poet.
What way?
Irene.
You praise when you should blame
The barbarism of wars.
A juster epoch has begun.
Poet.
Yet tho’ this cheek be gray,
And that bright hair the modern sun,
Those eyes the blue to-day,
You wrong me, passionate little friend.
I would that wars should cease,
I would the globe from end to end
Might sow and reap in peace,
And some new Spirit o’erbear the old,
Or Trade re-frain the Powers
From war with kindly links of gold,
Or Love with wreaths of flowers.
Slav, Teuton, Kelt, I count them all
My friends and brother souls,
With all the peoples, great and small,
That wheel between the poles.
But since our mortal shadow, Ill,
To waste this earth began–
Perchance from some abuse of Will
In worlds before the man
Involving ours–he needs must fight
To make true peace his own,
He needs must combat might with might,
Or Might would rule alone;
And who loves war for war’s own sake
Is fool, or crazed, or worse;
But let the patriot-soldier take
His meed of fame in verse;
Nay–tho’ that realm were in the wrong
For which her warriors bleed,
It still were right to crown with song
The warrior’s noble deed–
A crown the Singer hopes may last,
For so the deed endures;
But Song will vanish in the Vast;
And that large phrase of yours
‘A star among the stars,’ my dear,
Is girlish talk at best;
For dare we dally with the sphere
As he did half in jest,
Old Horace? ‘I will strike,’ said he,
‘The stars with head sublime,’
But scarce could see, as now we see,
The man in space and time,
So drew perchance a happier lot
Than ours, who rhyme to-day.
The fires that arch this dusky dot–
Yon myriad-worlded way–
The vast sun-clusters’ gather’d blaze,
World-isles in lonely skies,
Whole heavens within themselves, amaze
Our brief humanities.
And so does Earth; for Homer’s fame,
Tho’ carved in harder stone–
The falling drop will make his name
As mortal as my own.
Irene.
No!
Poet.
Let it live then–ay, till when?
Earth passes, all is lost
In what they prophesy, our wise men,
Sun-flame or sunless frost,
And deed and song alike are swept
Away, and all in vain
As far as man can see, except
The man himself remain;
And tho’, in this lean age forlorn,
Too many a voice may cry
That man can have no after-morn,
Not yet of those am I.
The man remains, and whatsoe’er
He wrought of good or brave
Will mould him thro’ the cycle-year
That dawns behind the grave.
And here the Singer for his art
Not all in vain may plead
‘The song that nerves a nation’s heart
Is in itself a deed.’
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Charge Of The Heavy Brigade At Balaclava: A Masterpiece by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Have you ever read a poem that transported you to another time and place? A poem that made you feel as if you were right there, witnessing an epic battle unfold before your very eyes? If not, then you need to read "The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
This poem is a masterpiece that captures the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War. Tennyson's use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and a dramatic tone all work together to create a powerful and unforgettable reading experience.
Background Information
Before diving into the poem itself, it's important to understand the historical context behind it. The Battle of Balaclava took place on October 25, 1854, during the Crimean War. British, French, and Ottoman forces were fighting against the Russian Empire in the Crimean Peninsula, which is now part of Ukraine.
During the battle, the British cavalry was ordered to charge the Russian artillery positions. However, due to a miscommunication, the Light Brigade charged the wrong targets and suffered heavy losses. The Heavy Brigade, on the other hand, charged the correct targets and managed to capture several Russian guns.
Tennyson was inspired by the bravery of the Heavy Brigade and wrote "The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava" as a tribute to their heroism. The poem was first published in 1855 and was later included in Tennyson's collection of poems, Maud and other Poems.
Analysis of the Poem
Let's take a closer look at the poem itself and examine the various literary devices and techniques that Tennyson uses to create a powerful and emotional reading experience.
Structure
The poem is divided into three parts: an introduction, the charge itself, and the aftermath. The introduction sets the scene and describes the soldiers as they prepare for battle. The charge is the most dramatic and intense part of the poem, as the soldiers ride into battle and engage in combat. The aftermath is more reflective and somber, as Tennyson describes the aftermath of the battle and pays tribute to the fallen soldiers.
The poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a sense of rhythm and musicality.
Imagery
One of the most striking elements of the poem is Tennyson's use of vivid imagery. He paints a vivid picture of the battlefield and the soldiers who fought on it. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the soldiers as "massive Russian columns" and "a thousand horse and foot." This imagery conveys the power and strength of the enemy forces that the British soldiers were facing.
In the second stanza, Tennyson describes the charge itself in graphic detail. He uses imagery such as "sabres bare," "shaken ranks," and "thunder of their tread" to create a sense of chaos and violence. The imagery of the soldiers riding "into the jaws of Death" and "into the mouth of Hell" is particularly powerful, as it conveys the bravery and selflessness of the soldiers who knew they were riding to their deaths.
In the third stanza, Tennyson shifts the focus to the aftermath of the battle. He uses imagery such as "the dead lay in heaps" and "the wounded were crying for water" to convey the horror and tragedy of war. The image of the "sabres red with rust" is a powerful symbol of the cost of war and the bloodshed that it entails.
Language
Tennyson's use of language is another key element of the poem. He uses powerful, evocative words and phrases that are designed to elicit an emotional response from the reader. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the soldiers as "a thunderbolt" and "a torrent of men." These words convey the sense of energy and momentum that the soldiers had as they rode into battle.
In the second stanza, Tennyson uses language that is designed to shock and awe the reader. He describes the charge as "wild with all regret," "shaken by the blast," and "mown down like grass." These words convey the sense of chaos and destruction that the soldiers faced on the battlefield.
In the third stanza, Tennyson shifts to a more reflective tone and uses language that is more mournful and somber. He describes the aftermath of the battle as "the silence of despair" and "the horror of their fate." These words convey the sense of loss and grief that the soldiers and their loved ones must have felt.
Tone
The tone of the poem is dramatic and intense, with a sense of urgency and immediacy that draws the reader in. Tennyson uses a variety of techniques to create this tone, such as repetition, alliteration, and onomatopoeia.
For example, in the second stanza, Tennyson repeats the phrase "into the valley of Death" several times. This repetition creates a sense of inevitability and doom, as if the soldiers were riding towards their certain death. The alliteration of "thunder of their tread" and "sabres bare" creates a sense of energy and momentum, as if the soldiers were charging forward with reckless abandon.
Themes
There are several themes that run throughout the poem, such as bravery, sacrifice, and the cost of war. The poem celebrates the bravery and heroism of the soldiers who rode into battle, even though they knew they were riding to their deaths. It also acknowledges the sacrifice that they made and the cost of war in terms of human life and suffering.
Another theme that is implicit in the poem is the idea of duty and honor. The soldiers in the poem are portrayed as being duty-bound to fight and defend their country, even if the odds are stacked against them. This sense of duty and honor is what drives them forward, even in the face of certain death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava" is a powerful and emotional tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the Battle of Balaclava. Tennyson's use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and a dramatic tone all work together to create a reading experience that is both memorable and unforgettable.
The poem is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Crimean War, and it serves as a reminder of the high cost of war and the toll it takes on those who fight in it. If you haven't read this poem before, I highly recommend that you do. It is a masterpiece of poetry that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava is a classic poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It is a powerful and emotive piece of literature that captures the bravery and heroism of the soldiers who fought in the Crimean War. The poem is a tribute to the Heavy Brigade, a cavalry unit that played a crucial role in the Battle of Balaclava.
The poem begins with a description of the battlefield. Tennyson paints a vivid picture of the chaos and confusion that surrounded the soldiers as they prepared for battle. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come:
"Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred."
These lines are some of the most famous in the poem and are often quoted in popular culture. They describe the soldiers riding into battle, knowing that they are facing almost certain death. The use of repetition in the first line creates a sense of urgency and momentum, as if the soldiers are charging forward at breakneck speed.
As the poem progresses, Tennyson describes the bravery of the soldiers in more detail. He talks about the way they rode into battle with their heads held high, their swords flashing in the sun. He describes the sound of their horses' hooves pounding the ground and the way the soldiers shouted and cheered as they charged towards the enemy.
The poem also contains a number of powerful images that help to bring the battlefield to life. For example, Tennyson describes the way the sun glinted off the soldiers' helmets and the way the dust rose up from the ground as the horses galloped past. These images help to create a sense of realism and make the reader feel as if they are actually there on the battlefield.
One of the most striking things about the poem is the way Tennyson portrays the soldiers as heroes. He describes them as brave, fearless, and noble, and he makes it clear that they are fighting for a just cause. This is particularly evident in the following lines:
"Their's not to make reply, Their's not to reason why, Their's but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred."
These lines are often quoted as an example of the soldiers' bravery and selflessness. They suggest that the soldiers were not concerned with their own safety or well-being, but were instead focused on doing their duty and serving their country.
Despite the bravery of the soldiers, however, the poem also contains a sense of sadness and loss. Tennyson describes the way the soldiers fell in battle, their bodies lying on the ground as the battle raged on around them. He talks about the way their families would mourn their loss and the way their comrades would remember them with pride.
Overall, The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava is a powerful and emotive poem that captures the bravery and heroism of the soldiers who fought in the Crimean War. It is a tribute to the Heavy Brigade and a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make in the name of duty and honor. The poem is a classic of English literature and continues to be studied and admired by readers around the world.
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