Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CANNAE, by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Save where garganus, with low-ridged bound Last Line: So sharp a check of greatness so supreme. Alternate Author Name(s): Houghton, 1st Baron; Houghton, Lord Subject(s): Italy; War; Italians | ||||||||
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...1851: A MESSAGE TO DENMARK HILL by RICHARD HOWARD TONIGHT THE HEART-SHAPED LEAVES by JAN HELLER LEVI JEWISH GRAVEYARDS, ITALY by PHILIP LEVINE SAILING HOME FROM RAPALLO by ROBERT LOWELL SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW by LISEL MUELLER HOW DUKE VALENTINE CONTRIVED by BASIL BUNTING FRAGMENTS FROM ITALY: 1 by JOHN CIARDI COLUMBUS AND THE MAYFLOWER by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES |
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