We leave for the conference fresh from the latest meeting of the Omaha Chesterton Society meeting where we enjoyed a lively discussion of GKC's wonderful narrative poem, “Lepanto,” which tells how a hastily prepared, outnumbered navy representing what little boldness was left in Christian Europe dared to oppose the heretofore unconquerable surge of Islam. The battle occurred near the Gulf of Lepanto (now known as the Gulf of Corinth) off western Greece on October 7, 1571. It was a momentous victory for Christendom, fighting under the remarkable leadership of the 23 year old Admiral Don Juan of Austria. The battle effectively stopped what had seemed inevitable; namely, the Ottoman Empire’s complete domination of Europe.
…Dim drums throbbing, in the hills half heard,
Where only on a nameless throne a crownless prince has stirred,
Where, risen from a doubtful seat and half-attainted stall,
The last knight of Europe takes weapons from the wall,
The last and lingering troubadour to whom the bird has sung,
That once went singing southward when all the world was young.
In that enormous silence, tiny and unafraid,
Comes up along a winding road the noise of the Crusade.
Strong gongs groaning as the guns boom far,
Don John of Austria is going to the war,
Stiff flags straining in the night-blasts cold
In the gloom black-purple, in the glint old-gold,
Torchlight crimson on the copper kettle-drums,
Then the tuckets, then the trumpets, then the cannon, and he comes.
Don John laughing in the brave beard curled,
Spurning of his stirrups like the thrones of all the world,
Holding his head up for a flag of all the free.
Love-light of Spain - hurrah!
Death-light of Africa!
Don John of Austria
Is riding to the sea.
Where only on a nameless throne a crownless prince has stirred,
Where, risen from a doubtful seat and half-attainted stall,
The last knight of Europe takes weapons from the wall,
The last and lingering troubadour to whom the bird has sung,
That once went singing southward when all the world was young.
In that enormous silence, tiny and unafraid,
Comes up along a winding road the noise of the Crusade.
Strong gongs groaning as the guns boom far,
Don John of Austria is going to the war,
Stiff flags straining in the night-blasts cold
In the gloom black-purple, in the glint old-gold,
Torchlight crimson on the copper kettle-drums,
Then the tuckets, then the trumpets, then the cannon, and he comes.
Don John laughing in the brave beard curled,
Spurning of his stirrups like the thrones of all the world,
Holding his head up for a flag of all the free.
Love-light of Spain - hurrah!
Death-light of Africa!
Don John of Austria
Is riding to the sea.
Our conversation around this dramatic poem included military details of the battle, the indifference of Europe’s other “Christian” rulers who refused to counter the godless armies of the Ottoman Empire, the profound skills of GKC, the lost art of poetry, and more. However, the most important theme of our discussion concerned the spiritual responsibility of Christians of all times to oppose the encroachment of wickedness. For us that campaign involves the dangers of Islam and other false religions, of course, but also secularism, materialism, and the culture of death that has foisted upon us abortion, euthanasia and genetic engineering. Last night, the words of Gilbert Chesterton (at one point read aloud to one another as poetry should be) moved us deeply to rededicate ourselves as servants of Jesus Christ to bravely hold high His banner, to lovingly but resolutely oppose His enemies, and to let our joy and confidence reside in His promise of a full and forever triumph. Ah! Fellowship that lifts the heart and sharpens one’s sword!
Most of the OCS members had a copy of the poem published within a larger work which has a fully annotated text of the poem, complete with commentary and historical background. The book also includes two essays by Chesterton about "Lepanto." It is edited by ACS President, Dale Ahlquist and is really the best way to get the most of the work. You can order it straight from the ACS right here.
Most of the OCS members had a copy of the poem published within a larger work which has a fully annotated text of the poem, complete with commentary and historical background. The book also includes two essays by Chesterton about "Lepanto." It is edited by ACS President, Dale Ahlquist and is really the best way to get the most of the work. You can order it straight from the ACS right here.
Hilaire Belloc called "Lepanto" Chesterton's greatest poem and the greatest poem of that generation. He may well be right. You can read it in its entirety several places on the web. Here is one.
Blogging at The Book Den will re-commence on Sunday. Later...
