The Rolling English Road
The Rolling English Road is a poem written by G.K. Chesterton in 1914. It describes the journey of a traveler on an English road, and how he encounters various people and places along the way. The poem celebrates the beauty and diversity of England's countryside, as well as its rich history and culture.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1914 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Satire · 364 words
First lines
Before the Roman came to Rye or out to Severn strode, The rolling English drunkard made the rolling English road. A reeling road, a rolling road, that rambles round the shire, And after him the parson ran, the sexton and the squire; A merry road, a mazy road, and such as we did tread The night we went to Birmingham by way of Beachy Head.
I knew no harm of Bonaparte and plenty of the Squire, And for to fight the Frenchman I did not much desire; But I did bash their baggonets because they came arrayed To straighten out the crooked road an English drunkard made, Where you and I went down the lane with ale-mugs in our hands, The night we went to Glastonbury by way of Goodwin Sands.
What this Textopian page supports
The Rolling English Road is listed on Textopian as a poem by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1914 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: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Satire, Travel, Historical
- Length: 364 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Rolling English Road 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Rolling English Road?
- How does this poem by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Irish Impressions by G. K. Chesterton
- A Lilt Of The Road by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- From London To Lands End by Daniel Defoe
- A Glimpse Of My Country by G. K. Chesterton
- Journey To Portugal by Jose Saramago
- Rubaiyat Of A Motor Car by Carolyn Wells
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The playful language and whimsical imagery suggest a humorous tone.
- Satire — The text uses irony and exaggeration to critique societal norms and behaviors.
- Travel — The narrative involves a journey through various locations, typical of travel literature.
Tags
travel · essays · England · landscape · philosophy · humor · nature · exploration · culture · history · narrative · personal reflection