The Oarsman

They cannot know, who lounge and loaf, the fierce exultant glow
That warms the heart and stirs the pulse when eight men really row.
When the banks go wild with roaring, and the roar becomes a yell,
And the bowmen feel her dancing as she lifts upon the swell.
And the crowd in chaos blending rend the whelkin with advice-
"Swing out, you've gained, you're gaining, you must get them in a trice."
Till with one last stroke we do it, and the coxswain's face grows bright.
And it's "Easy all, my bonny boys, you've made you bump tonight."

                                                                 by R. E. Lehmen

"Courage is not the lack of fear.  True courage is riding onward in the face of death."

 

The Charge of the Light Brigade

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

---

Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. "Forward, the Light Brigade! "Charge for the guns!" he said: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. "Forward, the Light Brigade!" Was there a man dismay'd? Not tho' the soldier knew Someone had blunder'd: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred. Flash'd all their sabres bare, Flash'd as they turn'd in air, Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wonder'd: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro' the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reel'd from the sabre stroke Shatter'd and sunder'd. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro' the jaws of Death Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them,Left of six hundred. When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made!All the world wondered. Honor the charge they made, Honor the Light Brigade,Noble six hundred.

Welcome to Made of Oak! Here is a place where there is no substitute for peace and good literature. We hope you enjoy the literature provided for you by past greats and current writers. Please enjoy your visit, comment and let us know how we are doing or if there are any other great works you would have us post.