I was surprised. I actually enjoyed “The Ballad of the White Horse” quite a bit. It would make a good short play if you could swing the costumes.<\/p>\n
Chesterton is proud to be a Christian and so are the heroes in his tale, something you don’t see dared that much lately. I like it. Let’s see more. I copied down a few odd passages I enjoyed:<\/p>\n
Here, King Alfred’s Irish friend Colan’s harp is described:<\/p>\n
His harp was carved and cunning
\nAs the Celtic craftsman makes,
\nGraven all over with twisting shapes
\nLike many headless snakes<\/p>\nHis harp was carved and cunning
\nHis sword prompt and sharp,
\nAnd he was gay when he held the sword,
\nSad when he held the harp.<\/p>\n-G.K. Chesterton, The Ballad of the White Horse, Book II<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This section contains some comments on free will and takes, like Tolkien I think, a high view of man’s creative power, endowed by God very intentionally of course. It’s far better to “fall with Adam” and admit your sin, leaning on God, than to pridefully follow after other gods of your own devising as if you were still hot stuff.<\/p>\n
When God put man in a garden
\nHe girt him with a sword,
\nAnd sent him forth a free knight,
\nThat might betray his lord;<\/p>\nHe brake Him and betrayed Him
\nAnd fast and far he fell
\nTill you and I may stretch our necks
\nAnd burn our beards in hell.<\/p>\nBut though I lie on the floor of the world
\nWith the seven sins for rods,
\nI would rather fall with Adam
\nThan rise with all your gods.<\/p>\n-Book III<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Later, Colan pulls a fast one on Harold, one of the evil Viking lords. Exciting stuff!<\/p>\n
For Colan had not bow nor sling,
\nOn a lonely sword leaned he,
\nLike Arthur on Excalibur
\nIn the battle by the sea.<\/p>\nTo his great gold earring Harold
\nTugged back the feathered tail
\nAnd swift and sprung the arrow,
\nBut swifter sprang the Gael.<\/p>\nWhirling the one sword round his head,
\nA great wheel in the sun,
\nHe sent it splendid through the sky
\nFlying before the shaft could fly –
\nIt smote Earl Harold over the eye,
\nAnd blood began to run.<\/p>\n-Book V<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I was surprised. I actually enjoyed “The Ballad of the White Horse” quite a bit. It would make a good short play if you could swing the costumes. Chesterton is proud to be a Christian and so are the heroes in his tale, something you don’t see dared that much lately. I like it. Let’s … <\/p>\n