Hilaire Belloc

Here you will find the Poem [Month of] August of poet Hilaire Belloc

[Month of] August

The soldier month, the bulwark of the year, 
That never more shall hear such victories told; 
He stands apparent with his heaven-high spear, 
And helmeted of grand Etruscan gold. 
Our harvest is the bounty he has won, 
The loot his fiery temper takes by strength. 
Oh! Paladin of the Imperial sun! 
Oh! crown of all the seasons come at length! 

This is sheer manhood; this is Charlemagne, 
When he with his wide host came conquering home 
From vengeance under Roncesvalles ta'en. 
Or when his bramble beard flaked red with foam 
Of bivouac wine-cups on the Lombard plain, 
What time he swept to grasp the world at Rome.