The charge of the light brigade.

[Excel]

How weird. I just learned this poem today in history class, and here we are with a new poem thread! ^^

This one is called 'the charge of the light brigade' and is by a man called Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It's about the time during the Crimean war when 600 British light cavalry charged Russian cannons. It's a dark subject, but the poem itself is just beautiful. Take a look and tell me what you think.

(Yes, I know it's long, but it really is very good. besides, if I can take the time to write all of this, i'm sure you guys can take the time to read it)

1.
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

2.
"Forward the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay’d?
Not tho’ the soldier knew
Someone had blunder’d:
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.

3.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley’d and thunder’d:
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.

4.
Flash’d all their sabres bare,
Flash’d as they turn’d in air,
Sabring the gunners there,
Chargin the army, while
All the world wonder’d:
Plunged in the battery smoke,
Right thro’ theline they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel’d from the sabre stroke
Shatter’d and sunder’d
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.

5.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volly’d and thunder’d
Storm’d at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They who had fought so well
Came thro’ the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of the six hundred.

6.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made,
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred.

[renewal]

Now that is a very interesting poem. I have never hard that before, but it does make sense. I liked it. ;D

[Excel]

The thing that really makes me think about this poem, is that it's based on a actual event. Aramir, you studied history didn't you? How much do you know about English history? I know that this battle actually happened during the days of the British Empire.

You see, we are learning about World War One at the moment, and our teacher Mr Lyons read us this poem so that we would better understand the phrase "Lions led by Donkeys".

But by itself, I just think that this is a really fantastic poem about bravery and duty.

[Rauru]

That's a pretty good poem there Excel. I liked it, and renewal is right, it does make sense.

[ZeldAClown]

Ah...the charge of the light brigade. That is one of the classics. I'm supprised that there is anyone left who hasn't heard it actually, or at least part of it. Reference has been made to it in countless war movies and stories. Take Saving Private Ryan for a recent example:

'His not to reason why, his but to do and die'.

Is said in it (near the start I think). It really is a very famous poem...and for good reason.

[Excel]

Haha, I knew you would appeciate it more then anyone else ZeldAClown.

[al'Lan Mandragoran]

For your curiosity, I'm positive it was early Brit Empire days....way back when....

[Slade]

and i believe that you would be right on that clear.