A very Mournful Ballad on the Siege and Conquest
The poem describes a medieval siege where Christian forces capture the city of Alhama from Muslim rule. The narrative focuses on the emotional toll of war and the suffering of women and children caught in the conflict. It explores themes of loss, grief, and the human cost of conquest.
By Lord Byron · First published 1812 · Genre: Historical Poetry, Ballad, Tragedy · 1,272 words
First lines
I THE Moorish King rides up and down, Through Granada's royal town, From Elvira's gate to those Of Bivarambla on he goes. Woe is me, Alhama!
II Letters to the monarch tell How Alhama's city fell, In the fire the scroll he threw, And the messenger he slew. Woe is me, Albamal
What this Textopian page supports
A very Mournful Ballad on the Siege and Conquest of Alhama is listed on Textopian as a poem by Lord Byron, 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: Lord Byron
- Date: 1812 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Poetry, Ballad, Tragedy, Romanticism, Epic
- Length: 1,272 words
- Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Historical Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Poetry — The poem recounts the historical event of the fall of Alhama, a significant moment in the Reconquista, using poetic form.
- Ballad — The structure and repetitive refrain 'Woe is me, Alhama!' are characteristic of a ballad, a narrative poem often set to music.
- Tragedy — The themes of loss, defeat, and lamentation over the fall of a city and its consequences align with the elements of tragedy.
- Romanticism — The emotional intensity, focus on individual suffering, and dramatic expression are hallmarks of Romantic literature.
Tags
Poem · Ballad · War · Conquest · Siege · Historical · Literary · Romanticism · Byronic · Spanish · Arabic · Christianity