AFTER BLENHEIM
-Robert Southey Background “After Blenheim”, also known as “The Battle of Blenheim”, is a famous anti¬war poem written by Robert Southey.The poem, published in 1798, is in the form of a ballad and its theme is the famous Battle of Blenheim of 1704.It was fought between the combined forces of France and Bavaria representing one side, and the forces of England and Austria representing the rival side.The poem is set at the site of that Battle, the Anglicised name for the German village of Blenheim, situated on the left bank of the Danube River in the state of Bavaria in southern Germany.
SUMMARY
The poem opens on the scene of a summer evening. An elderly farmer named Kaspar was sitting in the sun in front of his cottage, watching his grandchildren, Wilhelmine and Peterkin, playing on the green field.Wilhelmine saw her brother Peterkin who was rolling something large and round and smooth that he found near a stream.He then takes it to Kaspar and asks what it is. The old man took it from the curious boy and with a natural sigh replied that it was some poor man’s skull that died in the war. 1 / 2
He further added that he had found many such skulls while ploughing the fields as thousands of brave men died in the ‘Battle of Blenheim’, known for its famous victory.The young Peterkin became more curious to know all about the Battle of Blenheim and for what did the men fought with each other. To this Kaspar said that it was the English who defeated the French, but he was not sure as to why they fought but could only say that everybody said that it was a ‘famous victory’.Kaspar said that his father lived at Blenheim at that time who had suffered a heavy loss by the war, his house was burnt and he had to flee with his wife and children and became homeless.Kaspar added that the war rage, its fire and sword caused much destruction all over the country and many pregnant women and newborn babies died. But things like that are quite common for every war with a famous victory.It is said that it was a shocking sight as after the battle was won, thousands of corpses lay rotting in the sun but he again repeated that things like that must happen after a famous victory.Everybody praised Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene for their triumph over French.Wilhelmine said that this was a cruel thing but Kaspar again said that “Nay…nay… my little girl, It was a famous victory”.Everybody praised the Duke for the great fight but. Peterkin questioned as if any good came at last. To which Kaspar could say anything but only repeated that it was a famous victory”.
WORD MEANINGS
1.sported – played 2.rivulet – a small stream 3.expectant – eager, hopeful 4.ploughshare – broad cutting blade of a plough 5.slain – killed 6.rout – defeat 7.quoth – said 8.yon – beyond 9.dwelling – house 10.fly – run away 11.wasted far and wide – destroyed or ruined up to a great distance 12.childing – expecting a child 13.praised – admired
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