Eighteen Hundred and Eleven
Anna Laetitia Barbauld’s poem “Eighteen Hundred and Eleven” is a reflection on the state of the world in the early 19th century. The poem begins with a description of the world as a “dark and dismal scene”, with “the stormy winds of war” raging across Europe. Barbauld then goes on to describe the effects of war on the people of Europe, with “the poor man’s heart” being “oppressed with care” and “the widow’s tears” flowing freely. She also laments the destruction of the natural world, with “the forests fall” and “the birds of song” being silenced. The poem then shifts to a more hopeful tone, as Barbauld calls on the people of Europe to “awake” and “arise” from their slumber. She encourages them to “cast away the chains of slavery” and “break the yoke of tyranny”, and to “build a temple of peace”. The poem ends with a call for the people of Europe to “join in one great union” and “spread the gospel of love”. The poem is a powerful reflection on the state of the world in the early 19th century, and a call for the people of Europe to unite in the face of adversity. It is a reminder of the power of hope and unity in the face of adversity, and a call for people to come together to create a better world.
By Anna Laetitia Barbauld · First published 1812 · Genre: Romantic Poetry, Historical Fiction, Political Poetry · 3,187 words
First lines
Still the loud death drum, thundering from afar, / O'er the vext nations pours the storm of war: / To the stern call still Britain bends her ear, / Feeds the fierce strife, the alternate hope and fear; / Bravely, though vainly, dares to strive with Fate, / And seeks by turns to prop each sinking state.
Colossal Power with overwhelming force / Bears down each fort of Freedom in its course; / Prostrate she lies beneath the Despot's sway, / While the hushed nations curse him -- and obey,
What this Textopian page supports
Eighteen Hundred and Eleven is listed on Textopian as a poem by Anna Laetitia Barbauld, dated 1812 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Anna Laetitia Barbauld
- Date: 1812 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Poetry, Historical Fiction, Political Poetry, Romanticism
- Length: 3,187 words
- Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Eighteen Hundred and Eleven by Anna Laetitia Barbauld
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- How Lisa Loved The King by George Eliot
- Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
- A Womans Love Letters by Sophia Margaretta Hensley
- The Ring And The Book by Robert Browning
- The Angel Of Death by Johan Olof Wallin
- Soldier Songs And Love Songs by Alexander Hamilton Laidlaw
Genres
- Romantic Poetry — Eighteen Hundred and Eleven is a poem written by Anna Laetitia Barbauld that reflects on the events of the Napoleonic Wars and the impact of war on society.
- Historical Fiction — The poem is set in the early 19th century and is based on the events of the Napoleonic Wars, making it a work of historical fiction.
- Political Poetry — The poem is a reflection on the political events of the Napoleonic Wars and the impact of war on society, making it a work of political poetry.
- Romanticism — The poem is written in the style of Romanticism, with its focus on emotion and nature.
Tags
Christianity · Great Britain · Poetry · Reform · air · art · arts · beneath · commerce · death · distant · education