The Boy stood on the burning deck...?

Question

The name of the poem please...My father would recite it to me as a child and I can't remember any more of it than that..refresh my memory, please..

Answer 1

never heard it before--is that boy suicidal?

check these out...i made them in sixth grade

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 2

The boy stood on the burning desk

His legs all a-quiver

He started to cough

His leg fell off

And floated down the river

!!!

That's it a believe.

Answer 3

I had never heard this one! Is it from "the Old Country?"

Reminded me some of this classic tune that tells a classic tale.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxSJAbeXE...

Answer 4

The poem is Casabianca by an English poet who rejoiced in the name Felicia Dorothea Hemans. I think it's one of those where everyone knows that famous first line but hasn't a clue about the rest. Here it is, just for you. I hope it brings back some nice memories:

The boy stood on the burning deck

Whence all but he had fled;

The flame that lit the battle's wreck

Shone round him o'er the dead.

Yet beautiful and bright he stood,

As born to rule the storm;

A creature of heroic blood,

A proud, though childlike form.

The flames roll'd on ... he would not go

Without his father's word;

That father, faint in death below,

His voice no longer heard.

He call'd aloud ... "Say, father,say

If yet my task is done!"

He knew not that the chieftain lay

Unconscious of his son.

"Speak, father!" once again he cried

"If I may yet be gone!"

And but the booming shots replied,

And fast the flames roll'd on.

Upon his brow he felt their breath,

And in his waving hair,

And looked from that lone post of death,

In still yet brave despair;

And shouted but one more aloud,

"My father, must I stay?"

While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud

The wreathing fires made way,

They wrapt the ship in splendour wild,

They caught the flag on high,

And stream'd above the gallant child,

Like banners in the sky.

There came a burst of thunder sound...

The boy-oh! where was he?

Ask of the winds that far around

With fragments strewed the sea.

With mast, and helm, and pennon fair,

That well had borne their part;

But the noblest thing which perished there

Was that young faithful heart.