Long Roll at Napoleon's Tomb
The poem reflects on the legacy of a great military leader, exploring themes of power, mortality, and the cyclical nature of history. It begins at the leader's tomb, where the grandeur of his past is juxtaposed with the silence of death. The imagery evokes the bloodshed and glory of his conquests, highlighting the impact of his rule on nations and the fear he instilled in his enemies. As twilight descends, the stillness is broken by the sound of a drum, symbolizing the resurgence of the leader's spirit and the armies that once followed him. The poem captures a moment of revival, where the past comes alive, and the leader's influence is felt once more. The legions rise, banners unfurl, and the leader is depicted as a figure of liberation, rallying his countrymen to rise against tyranny. The narrative shifts to significant historical moments, from the triumphs in Egypt to the disastrous campaign in Russia, illustrating the rise and fall of empires. The leader's ambition ultimately leads to his downfall, as divine judgment is invoked, reminding him of his mortality and the limits of his power. The poem concludes with a vision of a future where the people, free from his shadow, will achieve true liberty and peace, emphasizing the transient nature of glory and the enduring spirit of the nation.
By Thomas Nelson Page · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, War Literature · 600 words
First lines
'Twas the marble crypt where the Emperor lay, / His mighty marshals on either side, / Guarding his couch since the solemn day / France brought him home in her chastened pride, / To sleep on her heart, from the sea-girt cage / Where the Eagle pined and died in his rage.
I thought of the long, red carnival / Death held in the track of his sword, amain, / From Toulon's bloom to the crimsoned pall / He spread upon Waterloo's ripened grain; / I thought of the long black years of dread / When the nations quaked at his armies' tread.
What this Textopian page supports
Long Roll at Napoleon's Tomb is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas Nelson Page, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas Nelson Page
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, War Literature, Romanticism, Nationalism
- Length: 600 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Long Roll at Napoleon's Tomb by Thomas Nelson Page
- 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
- The Queen Of Sheba And My Cousin The Colonel by Thomas Bailey Aldrich
- A Knight Of The Legion Of Honor by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Jean Bouchon by Sabine Baring Gould
- The French Cavalier Etc From The Provencal by George Borrow
- Britannia To Her First Born by Edgar Wallace
- A Wax And Honey Moon by Sabine Baring Gould
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices such as meter, rhyme, and imagery.
- Historical — The poem reflects on historical events and figures, particularly Napoleon and his impact on France and Europe.
- War Literature — The themes of conflict, conquest, and the consequences of war are central to the narrative.
- Romanticism — The poem expresses deep emotions and a connection to historical grandeur, characteristic of Romantic literature.
Tags
historical fiction · Napoleon Bonaparte · tomb · 19th century · American literature · war · military history · French history · adventure · travel · cultural exploration · identity