Author: Harriet Annie Wilkins
We were wearied in the battle, Tempted, and pained, and tried By day the din and the carnage, By night the rain's fierce tide; But we heard a loving message, From the Prince's tent it came, "Each meet in the banqueting house. In memory of my name." We gathered; a motley regiment, Some young in the war of life, Some chiefs in the Royal Army, Some old and sick with strife, Some limped in the sacred pathway, Some were foot sore and worn, Some had their lances all shivered, Some had their banners torn. And we all looked dim and dusty; We all were stained with sin; But we held the Prince's message, And the porter said "Come in." We went to the banqueting house; We sat at the Prince's board, There we polished each his helmet, We sharpened each his sword. Our Prince--we talked of his strife, The forlorn hope He had led, How He opened the gates of life, And rescued from Death the dead; And with Him we saw a bright host, Our comrades gone on before, The right wing of our army Upon the farther shore. And the festering wound was healed. The banners were made whole, Mists rolled back from the almost blind, Faith lit each warrior's soul; We drank of the fruit of the vine, We ate the living bread, The holy benediction fell, With healing on each head. We entered in poor worn soldiers, We came out bolder knights, To march on to the Prince's battle, And war for His glorious rights, For had we not each re-taken The oath of allegiance high, And sworn round the Royal Standard To conquer, or to die.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem is a vivid exploration of themes of struggle, redemption, and rejuvenation, employing the metaphor of soldiers in a war to represent the human condition. A clear spiritual undertone resonates throughout, with the 'Prince' perhaps signifying a divine figure, offering a place of refuge, rejuvenation, and hope in the 'banqueting house'. The poem's tone shifts from weary and desolate in the beginning, to hopeful and empowered by the end, echoing the transformative journey the soldiers undergo.
The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, adds to its epic and heroic feel. The poet skillfully uses imagery and metaphor to depict the hardships of life ('the din and the carnage', 'rain's fierce tide') and the relief of sanctuary ('the banqueting house', 'Prince's tent'). Literary devices such as personification ('mists rolled back from the almost blind') and alliteration ('banners were made whole') enhance the emotive quality of the poem. The use of the collective 'we' throughout the poem suggests a shared experience, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie.
Ultimately, the poem delivers an uplifting message: that despite the trials and tribulations of life, there is a source of healing and strength that can empower us to face our struggles with renewed resolve and courage.
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:
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.