Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE KAISER AND BELGIUM, by STEPHEN PHILLIPS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: He said: 'thou petty people, let me pass' Last Line: Then thy destruction slake thy madman's thirst. Subject(s): Liege, Battle Of (1914); William Ii, Kaiser Of Germany (1859-1941; World War I; First World War | ||||||||
HE said: "Thou petty people, let me pass. What canst thou do but bow to me and kneel?" But sudden a dry land caught fire like grass, And answer hurtled but from shell and steel. He looked for silence, but a thunder came Upon him, from Liège a leaden hail. All Belgium flew up at his throat in flame Till at her gates amazed his legions quail. Take heed, for now on haunted ground they tread; There bowed a mightier war lord to his fall: Fear! lest that very green grass again grow red With blood of German now as then with Gaul. If him whom God destroys He maddens first, Then thy destruction slake thy madman's thirst. | 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 |
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