SAVE where Garganus, with low-ridged bound, Protects the North, the eye outstretching far Surveys one sea of gently-swelling ground, A fitly-moulded "Orchestra of War." Here Aufidus, between his humble banks With wild thyme plotted, winds along the plain, A devious path, as when the serried ranks Passed over it, that passed not back again. The long-horned herds enjoy the cool delight, Sleeping half-merged, to shun the deep sun-glow, Which, that May-morning, dazed the Roman sight, But fell innocuous on the subtler foe. We feel the wind upon our bosoms beat, That whilom dimmed with dust those noble eyes, And rendered aimless many a gallant feat, And brought disgrace on many a high emprise. And close beside us rests the ancient well, Where at the end of that accursed day, Apulian peasants to their grandsons tell, The friend and follower of wise Fabius lay; Here fainting lay, compelled by fate to share Shame not his own, -- here spurned the scanty time Still left for flight, lest, living, he might bear Hard witness to his colleague's generous crime. I have seen many fields where men have fought With mightier issues, but not one, I deem, Where history offers to reflecting thought, So sharp a check of greatness so supreme. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 41. TO THE 'UNKNOWABLE' GOD by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) VERBATIM FROM BOILEAU by NICOLAS BOILEAU-DESPREAUX TWO ROBBERS by FRANCIS WILLIAM BOURDILLON THE THING TO DO by GAMALIEL BRADFORD THE THREE PLEASURES by JULIEN AUGUSTE PELAGE BRIZEUX LINES ADDRESSED TO THE REV. J.T. BECHER by GEORGE GORDON BYRON MASQUE AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE EARL OF SOMERSET: CHORUS (3) by THOMAS CAMPION |