Ballad · 1911
The Ballad of the White Horse
Chesterton's ballad of King Alfred and the battle of Ethandune, in eight books framed by a verse dedication to his wife: the Vision of the Virgin, the gathering of the chiefs, the harp in the Danish camp, the woman and the cakes, and the three stages of the battle.
Contents · 9 parts
- Dedication94 lines
- Book I: The Vision of the Kingabout 280 lines
- Book II: The Gathering of the Chiefsabout 280 lines
- Book III: The Harp of Alfredabout 380 lines
- Book IV: The Woman in the Forestabout 310 lines
- Book V: Ethandune: The First Strokeabout 300 lines
- Book VI: Ethandune: The Slaying of the Chiefsabout 300 lines
- Book VII: Ethandune: The Last Chargeabout 370 lines
- Book VIII: The Scouring of the Horseabout 370 lines