Ballad of White Horse

5170 Words21 Pages
The Ballad of the White Horse Prefatory Questions: 1. Tradition brings a more complete view because it includes not only facts, but also ideals and spiritual values, which really determine the course of history. 2. The three popular legends are 1. The victory of Alfred is connected with the valley in Berkshire called the Vale of the White Horse 2. Alfred came into contact with a woman and her cakes 3. Alfred played the harp and sang in the Danish camp. 3. He fought for Christian civilization against nihilism. Dedication Questions: 1. The “great face” is King Alfred who faced the darkness, which descended on his kingdom. The “great limbs” are those of the Christian and pagan heroes who fought to decide whether the Christian or heathen way of life would prevail. 2. The past lives on in the present. 3. The great ideal for Alfred is the Christian faith: “The cross is the sign that hangs about your neck,” and Christ s “One more than Melchizedek/ Is dead and never dies.” 4. Chesterton dedicates it to his wife, Frances. “I bring these rhymes to you/ who brought the cross to me.” 5. The two opposing views of life are modern paganism- “pride and a little scratching pen” (false doctrine) that takes joy from “the hearts of men” – and Christianity which gives hope-“a firelight” which takes on to heaven “beyond the loneliest star.” Book I, The Vision of the King: 1. The great age of the Horse is the strong impression produced: “Before the gods made the gods…age beyond age…. The White Horse knew England/ when there was none to know.” 2. The event that threatens the White Horse is “the end of the world,” the fall of Rome. 3. The eastern barbarians from Asia give “the cry of the psalms”; and the northern barbarians from Scandinavia give “the cry of the frost.” 4. The impression that the invaders are beating England is

More about Ballad of White Horse

Open Document