Aquileia

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Narrative Poem
    [On the election of the Roman Emperor Maximus, by the Senate, A.D. 238, a powerful army, headed by the Thracian giant Maximus, laid siege to Aquileia.    Though poorly prepared for war, the constancy of her citizens rendered her impregnable.    The women of Aquileia cut off their hair to make ropes for the military engines.    The small body of troops was directed by Chrispinus, a Lieutenant of the Senate.    Apollo was the deity supposed to protect them.    - Gibbon's Roman History.]     "The ropes, the ropes!    Apollo send us ropes,"     Chrispinus cried, "or death attends our hopes."     Then panic reigned, and many a mournful sound     Hurt the cleft air; for where could ropes be found?     Up rose a Roman mother; tall was she     As her own son, a youth of noble height.     A little child was clinging to her knee -     She loosed his twining arms and put him down,     And her dark eyes flashed with a sudden light.     How like a queen she stood! her royal crown,     The rich dark masses of her splendid hair.     Just flecked with spots of sunshine here and there,     Twined round her brow; 'twas like a coronet,     Where gems of gold lie bedded deep in jet.     She loosed the comb that held the shining strands,     And threaded out the meshes with her hands.     The purple mass fell to her garment's hem.     A queen new clothed without her diadem     She stood before her subjects.              "Now," she cried,     "Give me thy sword, Julianus!"    And her son     Unsheathed the blade (that had not left his side     Save when it sought a foeman's blood to shed),     Awed by her regal bearing, and obeyed.     With the white beauty of her firm fair hand     She clasped the hilt; then severed, one by one,     Her gold-flecked purple tresses.    Strand on strand,     Free e'en as foes had fallen by that blade,     Robbed of its massive wealth of curl and coil,     Yet like some antique model, rose her head     In all its classic beauty.              "See!" she said,     And pointed to the shining mound of hair;     "Apollo makes swift answer to thy prayer,     Chrispinus.    Quick! now, soldiers, to thy toil!"     Forth from a thousand throats what seemed one voice     Rose shrilly, filling all the air with cheer.     "Lo!" quoth the foe, "our enemies rejoice!"     Well might the Thracian giant quake with fear!     For while skilled hands caught up the gleaming threads     And bound them into cords, a hundred heads     Yielded their beauteous tresses to the sword,     And cast them down to swell the precious hoard.     Nor was the noble sacrifice in vain     Another day beheld the giant slain.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a dramatic narrative, capturing a pivotal moment in the history of Aquileia as described in Gibbon's Roman History. The primary theme is the bravery and sacrifice of the town's citizens, particularly the women, during a time of intense crisis. The poem employs strong imagery and metaphor, using the cutting and use of the women's hair as a tangible symbol of their commitment to survival and victory.

The tone of the poem is both urgent and reverent, depicting the characters' desperation, as well as their courage and resolve, with a palpable intensity. The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, lends a sense of order to the chaotic scene and underscores the characters' determination. Notably, the poem uses the device of ekphrasis, or vivid, often dramatic, verbal description of a visual work of art or scene, to deliver a detailed, striking depiction of the Roman mother, her actions, and the atmosphere of the moment. This enables the reader to visualize the event as if they were witnessing it, enhancing the emotional impact of the narrative.

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.