797-804. Geraint suspected that Enid had allowed herself to be influenced by her mother’s wishes, or that she had been carried away by his brightness in contrast with the dimness of her own surroundings.
810-1. Dearer because she was resuming a splendour to which she had formerly been accustomed, but which she had been forced to give up for a time.
ODE ON THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.
Published on the morning of November 18th, 1852, the day of the funeral of the Duke of Wellington.
9. The Duke is buried in St. Paul’s cathedral, which stands in the busiest part of London.
23. =state-oracle.= The wise adviser of the nation.
36. The Duke’s words were taken as an indication of the probable course of events in the future.
42. =World-victor’s victor.= Victor over Napoleon, who was the World victor.
49. =cross of gold.= St. Paul’s cathedral is surmounted by a golden cross.
56. =its blazon’d deeds.= The record of his victories engraved on the funeral car.
75-9. He calls upon the poets who celebrate the virtues of the British people to continue to give due honour to the Duke. In lines 77-9 the figure is that of broad avenues leading up to a great hall or castle.
=civic muse.= The muse (spirit of poetry) presiding over public affairs.
80-2. Nelson is also buried in St. Paul’s. In these lines he is represented as speaking.
99. =Assaye.= A village in Hindostan. Here in 1803 Wellington (then Arthur Wellesley) with only 5,000 men defeated an army of over 30,000 Mahrattas.
104-5. Referring to the lines of Torres Vedras, which were constructed by Wellington as defences in the Peninsular war, during the years 1810-11.
112. After the battle of Vittoria in 1813, the French armies crossed the Pyrenees and withdrew from Spain.
=her eagles.= Napoleon took the eagle as his standard.
119. Refers to the renewal of the war after the escape of Napoleon from Elba.
=ravening.= Rapacious, devouring ravenously.
123. =that loud Sabbath.= The battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday, June 18, 1815.
129. The sun is said to have shone through the breaking clouds just as the Allies made their final charge against the French.
136. =silver-coasted.= Referring to the white chalk cliffs of southern England.
137. =the Baltic and the Nile.= The battle of the Baltic was fought at Copenhagen in 1801. The battle of the Nile was fought in Aboukir Bay in 1798.