History & Politics
Quebec
From In Flanders Fields and Other Poems (1919)
Of old, like Helen, guerdon of the strong—
Like Helen fair, like Helen light of word,—
"The spoils unto the conquerors belong.
Who winneth me must win me by the sword."
Grown old, like Helen, once the jealous prize
That strong men battled for in savage hate,
Can she look forth with unregretful eyes,
Where sleep Montcalm and Wolfe beside her gate?
Codex Note
A sonnet comparing the city of Quebec to Helen, a prize that strong men fought for. It asks if she can look 'with unregretful eyes' where Montcalm and Wolfe sleep beside her gate.
Cite this poem
MLA
McCrae, John. “Quebec.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/mccrae/4/.
Chicago
McCrae, John. “Quebec.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/mccrae/4/.
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