Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BATTLE OF THE SUMMER ISLANDS, by EDMUND WALLER Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Aid me bellona, while the dreadful fight Last Line: But while I do these pleasing dreams indite, %I am diverted from the promised fight Subject(s): Bermuda | ||||||||
Aid me Bellona, while the dreadful fight Betwixt the English and Bermudians write. The field with grass, the sea with foam was green, Filled with dead bodies either side was seen: No quarter given, none desired was; For in the van of either army was Their general's body, which by each was fought For as a trophy eagerly they sought. Our long pikes broke, and, halberts in their stead, With which, like conflicts, every foot was led. Each one the other to destroy contends, Both Englishmen and those they call their friends; Till neither could the other's force abide, But by the tomahawk, or else the tide, All, all were sent to wade to Charon's side. Long did the doubtful combat last, Long ere the summer's sun was past: Comets, which flame at their approach, did fright The vulgar, and foretell the ensuing fight. The setting sun, as he in crimson died, Looks sadly on the doubtful battle's side; But the bright queen of heaven, with cheerful ray, Lighted the English on to victory. The English come, and for their right did fight, And not to be subdued, but in their right: No savage could their courage long withstand, Nor Indian force, nor nature of the land. This only was their error and their crime, To part with fountains to preserve their time; And in a country that abounds with store, To drive the indigent to seek for more; To seek for wealth, as if without it life Were but a journey to eternal strife. A mighty bulwark raised upon the deep Whose hasty structure scarce their bounds could keep; The waves so often washed the fort away, That still they laboured, and they built in clay: But on this laboured bulwark could they place No trust, the fort still floated with the base. Yet every evening at the setting sun, The staff was mounted, and the volleys done; Which he whose fortune led him to the place For safety heard, but turned away his face: For he that was, and is the guard of all, Would never suffer that his holy wall Should by the smoke of powder be defiled, Nor had the fight upon his earth compiled. But while I do these pleasing dreams indite, I am diverted from the promised fight. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IMPRESSIONS OF BERMUDA by MADELINE BENEDICT FOSTER MARCHIONESS DOWAGER OF D--LL; FROM BERMUDA, JANUARY, 1804 by THOMAS MOORE BERMUDA SUITE by WINFIELD TOWNLEY SCOTT OF A FAIR LADY PLAYING WITH A SNAKE by EDMUND WALLER OF THE LAST VERSES IN THE BOOK by EDMUND WALLER CHLORIS AND HYLAS (MADE TO A SARABAND) by EDMUND WALLER OF ENGLISH VERSE by EDMUND WALLER |
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