What is described? The ball given by the Duchess of Richmond. What is the emotion of this stanza? Pleasure, gaiety. What is the picture in the first line? The arrival of the guests, the welcomes, and the "revelry" of the assembly. Why does the author say "Belgium's capital" rather than "Brussels"? It suggests the capital of a nation with a noble people. Who were the "Beauty" and the "Chivalry"? The ladies, the officers of the army, and the nobility. Describe the picture you see in "bright the lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men". The large ball-room, the brilliantly lighted chandeliers, the beautiful costumes of the ladies, the uniforms and decorations of officers and nobles. Describe the images that are suggested by "and when music arose with its voluptuous swell". The bands of the regiments are playing the music of the dance. Notice how the poet changes the rhythm to the foot of three syllables, to indicate the music of the waltz. What contrast do you find in the last two lines? "Marriage bell" and "rising knell". What was the purpose of this? To show the contrast between pleasure and fear.
Stanza II
What is the theme? The sound of the enemy's cannon. Why does the author use the dramatic form? A conversation between two people of opposite temperaments gives greater reality to the picture. The first seems to expect danger, but is, for a moment, silenced by the other's upbraiding him for attempting to spoil the pleasure of the evening. A repetition of the "heavy sound" proves that he is right. The second is a lover of pleasure, who would not have the first speaker alarm the guests by his gloomy anticipations. Show how the second speaker indicates his impatience. His answers are short, he speaks in ellipses. "On with the dance", and "No sleep till morn". Notice the positive tone of the first speaker in the repetition, "It is—it is".
Stanza III
What is described here? The fate of Brunswick? Why does the author single out Brunswick from all the others who died? One specific case appeals to the reader more effectually than the report of the death of unknown thousands. Brunswick's father had been a noted general in the war with Napoleon. Explain, "Death's prophetic ear". This refers to a common superstition that "the veil of the future is lifted to those near to death". Show how the poet has broken the order of succession of the pictures. Brunswick's death is recorded before the breaking up of the ball is described.
Stanza IV
What is the theme? The farewells. What is the emotion? Fear and anguish. What words show this? "Gathering tears", "tremblings of distress", "cheeks all pale", "sudden partings", etc. Give a line in a preceding stanza that expresses the same thought as "mutual eyes". "Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again."
Stanza V
What is described? The muster of the troops. What is the prevailing feeling? The haste of the soldiers and the terror of the citizens. How does the poet show this haste? By the use of such phrases as "hot haste", "mustering squadron", "clattering car", "impetuous speed", "swiftly forming", as well as by the rapid movement of the verse. Why did the citizens of Brussels fear, since they had not to fight? They dreaded the pillage and ruin which would follow a French victory. Describe the scene in your own words—the cavalry forming in line, the movements of the artillery, the noise of distant cannon, the "alarming drum", and the panic of the citizens.