Lepanto by G.K. Chesterton (1915)
Lepanto is a poem written by G.K. Chesterton that celebrates the victory of Christian forces over the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. The poem describes the battle as a clash between good and evil, with the Christian forces representing light and hope while the Ottomans represent darkness and despair. It is considered one of Chesterton's most famous works and has been praised for its vivid imagery and powerful language.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1915 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Epic · 1,869 words
First lines
White founts falling in the Courts of the sun, And the Soldan of Byzantium is smiling as they run; There is laughter like the fountains in that face of all men feared, It stirs the forest darkness, the darkness of his beard, It curls the blood-red crescent, the crescent of his lips, For the inmost sea of all the earth is shake with his ships.
They have dared the white republics up the cape of Italy, They have dashed the Adriatic round the Lion of the Sea, And the Pope has cast his arms abroad for agony and loss, And called the kings of Christendom for swords about the Cross.
What this Textopian page supports
Lepanto is listed on Textopian as a poem by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Epic, Religious, War
- Length: 1,869 words
- Structure: 1 section, 38 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lepanto by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Lepanto?
- How does this poem by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- John The Baptist by George Bernard Shaw
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured as a poem, utilizing rhyme, meter, and vivid imagery to convey its narrative and themes.
- Historical — The poem is based on the historical Battle of Lepanto, involving real historical figures and events.
- Epic — The poem has an epic scope, detailing a grand historical battle with heroic figures and dramatic action.
- Religious — The poem includes religious themes, such as the conflict between Christian and Muslim forces, and references to religious figures and symbols.
Tags
historical · poetry · epic · battle · Christianity · Islam · naval · conflict · faith · heroism · culture · philosophy