INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP – ROBERT BROWNING

INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP – ROBERT BROWNING

Robert Browning was born in Camberwell, a suburb of London on 7 May 1812. He was educated mainly at home, but he attended a short course in Greek at London University. In 1846 he married Elizabeth Barret, six years his senior, and lived in Florence for the next fifteen years. After his wife’s death in 1861, he came back to England and settled in London. By 1881 his fame as a poet was so much that a literary society called Browning Society was established by some of the scholars of the time. Ever since he settled in England it was his practice to spend the winter every year in Italy. During one such visit, he died in Venice on 12 December 1889. The body was brought to England and buried in the Poet’s corner of Westminster Abbey. He lies buried near his great rival, Tennyson.

Browning is famous for his dramatic monologues. He is more famous for his obscurity which is the outcome of his using too many compressed expressions. But the most noteworthy thing about him as a poet is his faith in God and the resultant optimism.

Poem:

You know, we French stormed Ratisbon:

A mile or so away,

On a little mound, Napoleon

Stood on our storming-day;

With neck out-thrust, you fancy how,

Legs wide, arms locked behind,

As if to balance the prone brow

Oppressive with its mind.

Just as perhaps he mused, ‘My plans

That soar, to earth may fall,

Let once my army-leader Lannes

Waver at yonder wall’, –

Out ’twixt the battery-smokes there flew

A rider, bound on bound

Full-galloping: nor bridle drew

Until he reached the mound.

Then off there flung in smiling joy,

And held himself erect

By just his horse’s mane, a boy:

You hardly could suspect –

(So tight he kept his lips compressed,

Scarce any blood came through)

You looked twice ere you saw his breast

Was all but shot in two.

‘Well’, cried he, ‘Emperor, by God’s grace

We’ve got you Ratisbon!

The Marshal’s in the market-place

And you’ll be there anon,

To see your flag-bird flap his vans

Where I, to heart’s desire,

Perched him!’ The Chief’s eye flashed; his plans

Soared up again like fire.

The Chief’s eye flashed; but presently

Softened itself, as sheathes

A film the mother-eagle’s eye

When her bruised eaglet breathes:

‘You’re wounded!’ ‘Nay’, his soldier’s pride

Touched to the quick, he said:

‘I’m killed, Sire!’And, his Chief beside,

Smiling, the boy fell dead.

This was an incident in Napoleon’s war with Austria. Marshal Lannes Stormed Ratisbon in Bavaria in 1809. The story is true, but the actual hero was a man and not a boy, as represented to this poem.

Napoleon: Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was originally an Officer in the French army, but he became the army chief. In 1804 he proclaimed himself emperor. But within a decade the tide turned against him. In 1814 Napoleon abdicated and was sent to Elba. He returned in 1815 and assumed power. However in the very same year he was defeated by Lord Wellington at Waterloo. He was to St. Helena where he died in 1821.

Napoleon was standing on a little mound, eagerly looking towards Ratisbon. His mind was oppressed with anxious thoughts and he said to himself that all his ambitious plans would come to nothing if Lannes failed to storm Ratisbon. As he was thinking like this, suddenly he saw a thick smoke going up in the air. Soon a rider on horse back was found galloping at full speed. The young rider was mortally wounded, but he kept his lips tight in order to prevent blood from the mouth coming out. At last he reached the mound where Napoleon was standing. The boy informed him that Ratisbon had been taken and his flag was fluttering there.

On hearing the news Napoleon was very happy and his eyes looked bright with joy. But when he found that the boy was wounded his eyes were filled with tears. He said with sorrow that the boy was wounded. But at first the boy denied it. In the next moment he admitted that he was killed and fell down dead by the side of the emperor.

The incident brings out the character of both Napoleon and the boy. Though a mighty emperor, Napoleon is tender hearted. This is evident from the fact that he is overcome with grief when he finds that the young boy is wounded. The boy is very brave, dutiful, and has a strong will power. Though he is mortally wounded he tries his best to hide the fact. Having done his duty he falls down dead.

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