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.
'Forward, the Light Brigade! '
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Some one 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.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line 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.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
.
A classic poem about the unfortunate losses that come from war. It highlights both the courage of the light brigade, and the foolishness of war. Those men, all because of a mistaken command, charged into the valley of death. The tone of the poem is one that honors those men but pulls no punches on the reality of death and war. It's not overly critical of the event itself, so to classify it as anti-war would be wrong, but it's fantastic nonetheless.
Inspired me to write a bit of war poetry! A brilliant classical piece, with brilliant structure. Beyond all doubt, my favourite poem.
Probably Lord Tennyson's best poem. Very well written, the rhyme scheme is nice and the story easy to understand. Overall, a beautiful poem penned with insight, a lovely piece of poetry. Thanks for sharing and Kudos. Please read my poem MANDELA - THE IMMORTAL ICON.
Left, right, behind, and infront...I can feel the terrible ambience
Has been a favorite of mine since I was 11 years old. I always think of my Father in the Pacific in World War II. and all the fathers of my friends who went through without trying to debate the orders given. Never questioning the orders given. It gives me goose bumps whenever I hear it/
This actually reminds me of the anti war poem/song written and sung by Petula Clark: 'On The Path of Glory'.
" Light" by Joe DiMino How alive the light appears- bending with the water- sliding from points of crests; making one wonder if light is only above or somewhere in depth of sea a spirit spark swells until it can do but one thing-surface! This is not morning sun rising; or moon or starlight tempting one to dream- it is the light that men follow... even onto the cross...
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
The first poem I ever committed to memory. I love it.