The Price Of Victory

By Horatio Alger, Jr.

Narrative Poem
    "A Victory! --a victory!"     Is flashed across the wires;     Speed, speed the news from State to State,     Light up the signal fires!     Let all the bells from all the towers     A joyous peal ring out;     We've gained a glorious victory,     And put the foe to rout!     A mother heard the chiming bells;     Her joy was mixed with pain.     "Pray God," she said, "my gallant boy     Be not among the slain!"     Alas for her! that very hour     Outstretched in death he lay,     The color from his fair, young face     Had scarcely passed away.     His nerveless hand still grasped the sword.     He never more might wield,     His eyes were sealed in dreamless sleep     Upon that bloody field.     The chestnut curls his mother oft     Had stroked in fondest pride,     Neglected hung ia clotted locks,     With deepest crimson dyed.     Ah! many a mother's heart shall ache,     And bleed with anguish sore,     When tidings come of him who marched     So blithely forth to war.     Oh! sad for them, the stricken down     In manhood's early dawn,     And sadder yet for loving hearts.     God comfort them that mourn!     Yes, victory has a fearful price     Our hearts may shrink to pay,     And tears will mingle with the joy     That greets a glorious day.     But he who dies in freedom's cause,     We cannot count him lost;     A battle won for truth and right     Is worth the blood it cost!     O mothers! count it something gained     That they, for whom you mourn,     Bequeath fair Freedom's heritage     To millions yet unborn;--     And better than a thousand years     Of base, ignoble breath,     A patriot's fragrant memory,     A hero's early death!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant poem adeptly juxtaposes the themes of triumph and tragedy through the lens of warfare. The poet has used an alternating structure to relay the ecstasy of victory and the sorrow of a mother's loss, thereby creating a stark contrast. The tone varies from celebratory, in the initial stanzas, highlighting the collective joy over the victory, to somber and mournful, as it delves into the personal grief of a mother's loss of her son.

The poem also employs several literary devices, notably imagery and symbolism. The use of phrases like "flashed across the wires," "light up the signal fires," and "the color from his fair, young face had scarcely passed away," paints vivid images, allowing readers to visualize the events. The sword, chiming bells, and the young man's death are potent symbols of war, celebration, and the loss that often comes with victory, respectively. The final stanzas provide a resolution, acknowledging the heavy cost of victory but reiterating the honor in dying for freedom. The poet suggests that this notion of sacrifice is a form of inheritance for future generations. In essence, this poem is a thought-provoking commentary on the dual nature of war - the glory in victory and the despair in loss.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.