Ballad of the White Horse, by G. K. Chesterton, is both typical and unusual. It's typical in paradox, romantic Christianity, and the deft use of chalk to boldly sketch a few simple strokes that define a figure, without too much concern for detail. Chesterton's philosophy of white chalk, as described in an essay on the subject, (where he also talks about drawing "the soul of a cow") may help explain this poem: "But as I sat scrawling these silly figures on the brown paper, it began to dawn on me, to my great disgust, that I ...
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Ballad of the White Horse, by G. K. Chesterton, is both typical and unusual. It's typical in paradox, romantic Christianity, and the deft use of chalk to boldly sketch a few simple strokes that define a figure, without too much concern for detail. Chesterton's philosophy of white chalk, as described in an essay on the subject, (where he also talks about drawing "the soul of a cow") may help explain this poem: "But as I sat scrawling these silly figures on the brown paper, it began to dawn on me, to my great disgust, that I had left one chalk, and that a most exquisite and essential chalk, behind. I searched all my pockets, but I could not find any white chalk. Now, those who are acquainted with all the philosophy (nay, religion) which is typified in the art of drawing on brown paper, know that white is positive and essential. I cannot avoid remarking here upon a moral significance. One of the wise and awful truths which this brown-paper art reveals, is this, that white is a color. It is not a mere absence of color; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black. When, so to speak, your pencil grows red-hot, it draws roses; when it grows white-hot, it draws stars. And one of the two or three defiant verities of the best religious morality, of real Christianity, for example, is exactly this same thing; the chief assertion of religious morality is that white is a color. Virtue is not the absence of vices or the avoidance of moral dangers; virtue is a vivid and separate thing, like pain or a particular smell. Mercy does not mean not being cruel, or sparing people revenge or punishment; it means a plain and positive thing like the sun, which one has either seen or not seen." The Ballad of the White Horse is atypical in its style, and to some extent subject, which was actually a relief; the paradox is worn more lightly here, the story and dialogue come first. This is a poem about people who fought and died and won because they had nothing to lose. There is no glory here or boasting or honor. The Vikings fight well and cleverly and the Saxons only win because they fight to the end and the Vikings don't have to. Chesterton has writen a dark poem of strife and despair, of humility and bleak courage before the end. Of the wisdom of Alfred who saved what could be saved and held the line for civilization and Christianity until the times were less dark. It is a poem worth reading and remembering. For it tells of a king who lost it all and won it back and knew the true value of things.
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Add this copy of The Ballad of the White Horse to cart. $6.41, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2013 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
Add this copy of The Ballad of the White Horse to cart. $24.30, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by CreateSpace Independent Publis.
Add this copy of The Ballad of the White Horse to cart. $52.57, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by CreateSpace Independent Publis.
Purchased this small book for a young priest who is passionate about Chesterton and things with a history. Not only is the volume worthy and interesting, the fact of a 1st edition "blew his mind". It was an excellent choice and a wonderful surprise. The binding was as advertized and the condition better than I expected on a book over 50 years old. Doing business with Alibris has been a pleasure.
