Greater Britain

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

    Our hearts were not set on fighting,          We did not pant for the fray,     And whatever wrongs need righting,          We would not have met that way.     But the way that has opened before us          Leads on thro' a blood-red field;     And we swear by the great God o'er us,          We will die, but we will not yield.     The battle is not of our making,          And war was never our plan;     Yet, all that is sweet forsaking,          We march to it, man by man.     It is either to smite, or be smitten,          There's no other choice to-day;     And we live, as befits the Briton,          Or we die, as the Briton may.     We were not fashioned for cages,          Or to feed from a keeper's hand;     Our strength which has grown thro' ages          Is the strength of a slave-free land.     We cannot kneel down to a master,          To our God alone can we pray;     And we stand in this world disaster,          To fight, like a lion at bay.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem appears to be a powerful exploration of the pain and resolve inherent to war. The theme of unwillingness in the face of conflict is highlighted in the first stanza, with the speaker asserting that their hearts were never set on fighting. However, the inevitability of their participation is underscored by the phrase "the way that has opened before us". This suggests that the subjects of the poem are forced into a violent situation against their will, a sentiment further emphasized by their vow to die rather than yield.

The tone of the poem is resolute, clinging to a fierce determination despite the overwhelming dread and uncertainty of war. This is especially evident in the second and third stanzas, where the subjects are shown forsaking all that is sweet and marching man by man into battle, choosing to either smite or be smitten. There's a certain nobility conveyed through the depiction of their resolve, a testament to their character and their determination to live or die as befits them.

The poem's structure, composed in a rhythmic and rhyming verse, enhances the overall impact, infusing it with a sense of urgency and momentum that mirrors the march to war. Literary devices like metaphors and vivid imagery, like the "blood-red field," add layers to the emotional depth of the poem, while the repeated reference to 'the Briton' gives it a specific cultural and historical context.

The poem concludes with a stark contrast between the subjects' inherent freedom and the captivity of war. The final lines, in which the subjects stand "to fight, like a lion at bay," encapsulates their fierce will to resist, despite the dire circumstances. Overall, the poem offers a poignant commentary on the costs of war, and the resilience of those forced to endure it.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.


Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.