Ligny. Robert Southey (1774-1843). Belgium: Ligny. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. 1876-79. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes. Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Holland: Vols. XIV-XV

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Holland: Vols. XIV–XV. 1876–79.

Belgium: Ligny

Ligny

Robert Southey (1774–1843)


(From The Poet’s Pilgrimage) EASTWARD from hence we struck, and reached the field
Of Ligny, where the Prussian, on that day
By far-outnumbering force constrained to yield,
Fronted the foe, and held them still at bay;
And in that brave defeat acquired fresh claim	5
To glory, and enhanced his country’s fame.

Here was a scene which Fancy might delight
To treasure up among her cherished stores,
And bring again before the inward sight
Often when she recalls the long-past hours:	10
Well-cultured hill and dale extending wide,
Hamlets and village spires on every side;

The autumnal-tinted groves; the upland mill
Which oft was won and lost amid the fray;
Green pastures watered by the silent rill;	15
The lordly Castle yielding to decay,
With bridge and barbican and moat and tower,
A fairer sight perchance than when it frowned in power:

The avenue before its ruined gate,
Which when the Castle, suffering less from time	20
Than havoc, hath foregone its strength and state,
Uninjured flourisheth in nature’s prime;
To us a grateful shade did it supply,
Glad of that shelter from the noontide sky.