Belisarius by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Old, blind and poor, Belisarius begs beneath the arch of his former triumph and recalls the campaigns he fought for Justinian. He condemns royal ingratitude and hollow public applause, yet declares that his will can endure his disgrace.
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow · Genre: Dramatic Monologue, Historical Poetry · 455 words
First lines
I am poor and old and blind; / The sun burns me, and the wind / Blows through the city gate / And covers me with dust / From the wheels of the august / Justinian the Great.
It was for him I chased / The Persians o'er wild and waste, / As General of the East; / Night after night I lay / In their camps of yesterday; / Their forage was my feast.
Genres
- Dramatic Monologue — Belisarius speaks throughout in the first person, recounting his military service, present poverty and enduring resolve.
- Historical Poetry — The rhymed stanzas recount campaigns against Persians and Vandals, conquests in Italy and the defense of Byzantium in Justinian's service.
Tags
blindness · begging · military service · royal ingratitude · public applause
What this Textopian page supports
Belisarius is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Dramatic Monologue, Historical Poetry
- Length: 455 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Belisarius by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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