I have adopted the birth-day order: for that is the simplest. And I have begun with—not Chaucer, nor Spenser, nor the ballads, but—Shakespeare and Agincourt; for it seemed to me that a book of heroism could have no better starting-point than that heroic pair of names. As for the ballads, I have placed them, after much considering, in the gap between old and new, between classic and romantic, in English verse. The witness of Sidney and Drayton's example notwithstanding, it is not until 1765, when Percy publishes the ‘Reliques,’ that the ballad spirit begins to be the master influence that Wordsworth confessed it was; while as for the history of the matter, there are who hold that ‘Sir Patrick Spens,’ for example, is the work of Lady Wardlaw, which to others, myself among them, is a thing preposterous and distraught.
It remains to add that, addressing myself to boys, I have not scrupled to edit my authors where editing seemed desirable, and that I have broken up some of the longer pieces for convenience in reading. Also, the help I have received while this book of ‘Noble Numbers’ was in course of growth—help in the way of counsel, suggestion, remonstrance, permission to use—has been such that it taxes gratitude and makes complete acknowledgment impossible.
W. E. H.
CONTENTS
| WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564–1616) and | ||
|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL DRAYTON (1563–1631). | ||
| I. | AGINCOURT | PAGE |
| Introit | [1] | |
| Interlude | [2] | |
| Harfleur | [3] | |
| The Eve | [4] | |
| The Battle | [6] | |
| After | [10] | |
| SIR HENRY WOTTON (1568–1639). | ||
| II. | LORD OF HIMSELF | [11] |
| BEN JONSON (1574–1637). | ||
| III. | TRUE BALM | [12] |
| IV. | HONOUR IN BUD | [13] |
| JOHN FLETCHER (1576–1625). | ||
| V. | THE JOY OF BATTLE | [13] |
| FRANCIS BEAUMONT (1586–1616). | ||
| VI. | IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY | [15] |
| ROBERT HERRICK (1591–1674). | ||
| VII. | GOING A-MAYING | [15] |
| VIII. | TO ANTHEA, WHO MAY COMMAND HIM ANYTHING | [18] |
| GEORGE HERBERT (1593–1638). | ||
| IX. | MEMENTO MORI | [19] |
| JAMES SHIRLEY (1594–1666). | ||
| X. | THE KING OF KINGS | [20] |
| JOHN MILTON (1608–1674). | ||
| XI. | LYCIDAS | [21] |
| XII. | ARMS AND THE MUSE | [27] |
| XIII. | TO THE LORD GENERAL | [28] |
| XIV. | THE LATE MASSACRE | [28] |
| XV. | ON HIS BLINDNESS | [29] |
| XVI. | EYELESS AT GAZA | [30] |
| XVII. | OUT OF ADVERSITY | [31] |
| JAMES GRAHAM, MARQUIS OF MONTROSE (1612–1650). | ||
| XVIII. | HEROIC LOVE | [31] |
| RICHARD LOVELACE (1618–1658). | ||
| XIX. | GOING TO THE WARS | [32] |
| XX. | FROM PRISON | [33] |
| ANDREW MARVELL (1620–1678). | ||
| XXI. | TWO KINGS | [34] |
| XXII. | IN EXILE | [39] |
| JOHN DRYDEN (1631–1701). | ||
| XXIII. | ALEXANDER'S FEAST | [40] |
| SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709–1784). | ||
| XXIV. | THE QUIET LIFE | [45] |
| BALLADS | ||
| XXV. | CHEVY CHASE | |
| The Hunting | [47] | |
| The Challenge | [49] | |
| The Battle | [51] | |
| The Slain | [54] | |
| The Tidings | [56] | |
| XXVI. | SIR PATRICK SPENS | [57] |
| XXVII. | BRAVE LORD WILLOUGHBY | [60] |
| XXVIII. | HUGHIE THE GRÆME | [64] |
| XXIX. | KINMONT WILLIE | |
| The Capture | [66] | |
| The Keeper's Wrath | [67] | |
| The March | [69] | |
| The Rescue | [71] | |
| XXX. | THE HONOUR OF BRISTOL | [73] |
| XXXI. | HELEN OF KIRKCONNELL | [77] |
| XXXII. | THE TWA CORBIES | [79] |
| THOMAS GRAY (1716–1771). | ||
| XXXIII. | THE BARD | [80] |
| WILLIAM COWPER (1731–1800). | ||
| XXXIV. | THE ROYAL GEORGE | [85] |
| XXXV. | BOADICEA | [86] |
| GRAHAM OF GARTMORE (1735–1797). | ||
| XXXVI. | TO HIS LADY | [88] |
| CHARLES DIBDIN (1745–1814). | ||
| XXXVII. | CONSTANCY | [89] |
| XXXVIII. | THE PERFECT SAILOR | [90] |
| JOHN PHILPOT CURRAN (1750–1817). | ||
| XXXIX. | THE DESERTER | [91] |
| PRINCE HOARE (1755–1834). | ||
| XL. | THE ARETHUSA | [92] |
| WILLIAM BLAKE (1757–1823). | ||
| XLI. | THE BEAUTY OF TERROR | [94] |
| ROBERT BURNS (1759–1796). | ||
| XLII. | DEFIANCE | [95] |
| XLIII. | THE GOAL OF LIFE | [96] |
| XLIV. | BEFORE PARTING | [97] |
| XLV. | DEVOTION | [98] |
| XLVI. | TRUE UNTIL DEATH | [99] |
| WILLIAM WORDSWORTH (1770–1850). | ||
| XLVII. | VENICE | [100] |
| XLVIII. | DESTINY | [101] |
| XLIX. | THE MOTHER LAND | [101] |
| L. | IDEAL | [102] |
| LI. | TO DUTY | [103] |
| LII. | TWO VICTORIES | [105] |
| SIR WALTER SCOTT (1771–1832). | ||
| LIII. | IN MEMORIAM | [107] |
| LIV. | LOCHINVAR | [112] |
| LV. | FLODDEN | |
| The March | [114] | |
| The Attack | [116] | |
| The Last Stand | [119] | |
| LVI. | THE CHASE | [121] |
| LVII. | THE OUTLAW | [126] |
| LVIII. | PIBROCH | [129] |
| LIX. | THE OMNIPOTENT | [130] |
| LX. | THE RED HARLAW | [131] |
| LXI. | FAREWELL | [133] |
| LXII. | BONNY DUNDEE | [134] |
| SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE (1772–1834). | ||
| LXIII. | ROMANCE | [136] |
| WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR (1775–1864). | ||
| LXIV. | SACRIFICE | [138] |
| THOMAS CAMPBELL (1777–1844). | ||
| LXV. | SOLDIER AND SAILOR | [140] |
| LXVI. | ‘YE MARINERS’ | [143] |
| LXVII. | THE BATTLE OF THE BALTIC | [144] |
| EBENEZER ELLIOTT (1781–1846). | ||
| LXVIII. | BATTLE SONG | [146] |
| ALLAN CUNNINGHAM (1785–1842). | ||
| LXIX. | LOYALTY | [147] |
| LXX. | A SEA-SONG | [148] |
| BRYANT WALLER PROCTOR (1787–1874). | ||
| LXXI. | A SONG OF THE SEA | [149] |
| GEORGE GORDON, LORD BYRON (1788–1824). | ||
| LXXII. | SENNACHERIB | [150] |
| LXXIII. | THE STORMING OF CORINTH | |
| The Signal | [151] | |
| The Assault | [153] | |
| The Magazine | [156] | |
| LXXIV. | ALHAMA | [160] |
| LXXV. | FRIENDSHIP | [164] |
| LXXVI. | THE RACE WITH DEATH | [165] |
| LXXVII. | THE GLORY THAT WAS GREECE | [167] |
| LXXVIII. | HAIL AND FAREWELL | [171] |
| CHARLES WOLFE (1791–1823). | ||
| LXXIX. | AFTER CORUNNA | [172] |
| FREDERICK MARRYAT (1792–1848). | ||
| LXXX. | THE OLD NAVY | [174] |
| FELICIA HEMANS (1793–1825). | ||
| LXXXI. | CASABIANCA | [175] |
| LXXXII. | THE PILGRIM FATHERS | [177] |
| JOHN KEATS (1796–1821). | ||
| LXXXIII. | TO THE ADVENTUROUS | [179] |
| THOMAS BABINGTON, LORD MACAULAY (1800–1859). | ||
| LXXXIV. | HORATIUS | |
| The Trysting | [179] | |
| The Trouble in Rome | [183] | |
| The Keeping of the Bridge | [189] | |
| Father Tiber | [196] | |
| LXXXV. | THE ARMADA | [200] |
| LXXXVI. | THE LAST BUCCANEER | [205] |
| LXXXVII. | A JACOBITE'S EPITAPH | [206] |
| ROBERT STEPHEN HAWKER (1803–1875). | ||
| LXXXVIII. | THE SONG OF THE WESTERN MEN | [207] |
| HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW (1807–1882). | ||
| LXXXIX. | THE BUILDING OF THE SHIP | |
| The Model | [208] | |
| The Builders | [210] | |
| In the Ship-Yard | [214] | |
| The Two Bridals | [217] | |
| XC. | THE DISCOVERER OF THE NORTH CAPE | [223] |
| XCI. | THE CUMBERLAND | [227] |
| XCII. | A DUTCH PICTURE | [228] |
| JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER (b. 1807). | ||
| XCIII. | BARBARA FRIETCHIE | [230] |
| ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON (b. 1809). | ||
| XCIV. | A BALLAD OF THE FLEET | [232] |
| XCV. | THE HEAVY BRIGADE | [239] |
| SIR FRANCIS HASTINGS DOYLE (1810–1888). | ||
| XCVI. | THE PRIVATE OF THE BUFFS | [242] |
| XCVII. | THE RED THREAD OF HONOUR | [244] |
| ROBERT BROWNING (1812–1890). | ||
| XCVIII. | HOME THOUGHTS FROM THE SEA | [248] |
| XCIX. | HERVÉ RIEL | [248] |
| WALT WHITMAN (b. 1819). | ||
| C. | THE DYING FIREMAN | [254] |
| CI. | A SEA-FIGHT | [255] |
| CII. | BEAT! BEAT! DRUMS! | [257] |
| CIII. | TWO VETERANS | [258] |
| CHARLES KINGSLEY (1819–1875). | ||
| CIV. | THE PLEASANT ISLE OF AVÈS | [260] |
| CV. | A WELCOME | [262] |
| SIR HENRY YULE (1820–1889). | ||
| CVI. | THE BIRKENHEAD | [264] |
| MATTHEW ARNOLD (1822–1888). | ||
| CVII. | APOLLO | [265] |
| CVIII. | THE DEATH OF SOHRAB | |
| The Duel | [267] | |
| Sohrab | [269] | |
| The Recognition | [272] | |
| Ruksh the Horse | [275] | |
| Rustum | [277] | |
| Night | [280] | |
| CIX. | FLEE FRO' THE PRESS | [282] |
| WILLIAM CORY (b. 1823). | ||
| CX. | SCHOOL FENCIBLES | [284] |
| CXI. | THE TWO CAPTAINS | [285] |
| GEORGE MEREDITH (b. 1828). | ||
| CXII. | THE HEAD OF BRAN | [290] |
| WILLIAM MORRIS (b. 1834). | ||
| CXIII. | THE SLAYING OF THE NIBLUNGS | |
| Hogni | [293] | |
| Gunnar | [297] | |
| Gudrun | [301] | |
| The Sons of Giuki | [304] | |
| ALFRED AUSTIN (b. 1835). | ||
| CXIV. | IS LIFE WORTH LIVING? | [308] |
| SIR ALFRED LYALL (b. 1835). | ||
| CXV. | THEOLOGY IN EXTREMIS | [311] |
| ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE (b. 1837). | ||
| CXVI. | THE OBLATION | [316] |
| CXVII. | ENGLAND | [317] |
| CXVIII. | THE JACOBITE IN EXILE | [319] |
| BRET HARTE (b. 1839). | ||
| CXIX. | THE REVEILLÉ | [322] |
| CXX. | WHAT THE BULLET SANG | [323] |
| AUSTIN DOBSON (b. 1840). | ||
| CXXI. | A BALLAD OF THE ARMADA | [324] |
| ANDREW LANG (b. 1844). | ||
| CXXII. | THE WHITE PACHA | [325] |
| ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON (b. 1850). | ||
| CXXIII. | MOTHER AND SON | [326] |
| HENRY CHARLES BEECHING (b. 1859). | ||
| CXXIV. | PRAYERS | [328] |
| RUDYARD KIPLING (b. 1865). | ||
| CXXV. | A BALLAD OF EAST AND WEST | [329] |
| CXXVI. | THE FLAG OF ENGLAND | [335] |
| NOTES | [341] | |
| INDEX | [359] | |
[I]
AGINCOURT
INTROIT
O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention, A kingdom for a stage, princes to act And monarchs to behold the swelling scene! Then should the warlike Harry, like himself, Assume the port of Mars; and at his heels, Leashed in like hounds, should Famine, Sword and Fire Crouch for employment. But pardon, gentles all, The flat unraisèd spirits that have dared On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth So great an object. Can this cockpit hold The vasty fields of France? or may we cram Within this wooden O the very casques That did affright the air at Agincourt? O pardon! since a crooked figure may Attest in little place a million, And let us, ciphers to this great accompt, On your imaginary forces work. Suppose within the girdle of these walls Are now confined two mighty monarchies, Whose high uprearèd and abutting fronts The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder: Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts; Into a thousand parts divide one man, And make imaginary puissance; Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them Printing their proud hoofs i' the receiving earth; For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings, Carry them here and there, jumping o'er times, Turning the accomplishment of many years Into an hour-glass.