Don Juan Scores!

[level_head]

It was on October 7th of 1571 that Don Juan of Austria defeated the Ottoman Empire's Muslim navy in the Mediterranean, in what is now called the Battle of Lepanto

Comments

[prester_scott]

Thanks for reminding me of this -- and of this poem.

[level_head]

Oho! I'd never seen it. Thank you.

This line:
"Dim drums throbbing, in the hills half heard,"

stands out rather starkly for its change of rhythm.

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[deckardcanine]

Hot dag! I basically discovered Chesterton three years ago and have had trouble finding his work in bookstores. I had no idea he was a gifted poet to boot.

As it happens, I've promised to write a poem a day this week. Any inspiration is welcome.

[eric_hinkle]

Thanks for posting a link to Lepanto. I've long wanted to read it (and Chesterton's 'Ballad of the White Horse') but I can't find either available anywhere except through Ignatius Press.

[shockwave77598]

interesting. Not heard of this battle before. But my military history tends to stop at 1750 -- only so many brain cells in the noggin.

[level_head]

I find various histories fascinating -- from the Japan of the Edo period (roughly 1600-1860) to czarist Russia to various Western European/UK actions. But as you suggested, there is only so much one can hold, and my knowledge of these things is fairly superficial. And I know so little about China and the rest of Asia compared to Japan, and so little of Eastern Europe compared to Western Europe. And only a smattering of Australia, and a few odd assorted bits of the rich and often grim history of Africa and the Middle East.

American history is more familiar to me, but even here there is so very much to know, and from different angles spanning hundreds of years -- when we can't agree on what happened last week.

It's still fascinating.

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[anonymous]

White founts falling in the courts of the Sun,
And the Soldan of Byzantium is lauging as they run...
-- G.K.Chesterton

[level_head]

That excellent piece is linked in Prester_Scott's comment above.

Thanks!

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