# Wars in Queen Victoria’s Reign explained — Poetry > Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre. ## What happens A poetic recounting of military conflicts during Queen Victoria's reign, including the Crimean War, the Second Opium War, the Indian Rebellion, the Abyssinian Expedition, the Ashanti War, the Afghan and Zulu Wars, and the Anglo-Egyptian War, celebrating British victories and the commanders Havelock, Campbell, and Wolseley, while concluding with a wish for lasting peace. ## Themes in this chapter ### Local Patriotism and Regional Pride The poem celebrates British military prowess and unity of the rose, thistle, and shamrock. ### Mortality and Loss References to slaughter, loss of brave Havelock, and deadly scars highlight the cost of war. ### Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue The concluding wish for wars to cease and peace to prevail imparts a moral lesson. ## Character check-ins ### Queen Victoria Reigning monarch during the wars described in the poem. ### Robert Burns Not directly mentioned; no match found in excerpt. ## Key lines > The Russian bear did ages lurk, All ready for to spring on Turk Russia had long been poised to attack the Ottoman Empire. _Describes the lead-up to the Crimean War._ > But like a greyhound after hare The Lion did drive back the Bear Britain, like a greyhound chasing a hare, repelled the Russian advance. _Metaphor for British victory in the Crimean War._ > And made it feel the British rule At gates of strong Sebastopol Britain asserted its dominance at the siege of Sebastopol. _Reference to the Siege of Sebastopol (1854–1855)._ > Then insolent was Persia, Till Lion had to dictate law Persia became arrogant until Britain imposed its will. _Likely refers to the Anglo-Persian War (1856–1857)._ > And while engaged in scenes like these He was attacked by the Chinese, And for this outrage all so wanton He then resolved to seize on Canton While Britain was occupied elsewhere, China attacked, prompting the capture of Canton. _Describes the Second Opium War and the capture of Canton in 1857._ > But soon there came a dismal cry Of slaughter’d Britons from Delhi, The Bengal Tiger sick with gore Did tremble at the Lion’s roar News arrived of British deaths in Delhi, but the rebellious Indian forces were intimidated by Britain's response. _Refers to the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and the massacre at Delhi._ > But Britain got a serious shock By losing of brave Havelock Britain was deeply affected by the death of General Havelock. _General Henry Havelock died in November 1857 during the Indian Rebellion._ > But Campbell ’mid a numerous foe Full quick these armed hosts did o’erthrow Sir Colin Campbell swiftly defeated large enemy forces. _Sir Colin Campbell relieved Lucknow in 1857._ > In Abyssinian dungeons vile Lay captives of Great Britain’s isle, But soon the tyrant Theodore Lay sadly weltering in his gore British captives were held in Abyssinia until Emperor Theodore was killed. _Refers to the Abyssinian Expedition of 1868._ > The savage tribes of Ashantee From British troops did quickly flee The Ashanti forces fled from the British army. _Describes the Anglo-Ashanti Wars._ > In Afghan and Zulu wars Many did find their deadly scars Many soldiers were wounded or killed in the Afghan and Zulu conflicts. _References the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880) and the Anglo-Zulu War (1879)._ > In the land of the Pharaohs The Christians suffered cruel woes, Till in Alexandria Bay The British iron clads did display Christians in Egypt endured hardships until British ironclads arrived at Alexandria. _Refers to the British bombardment of Alexandria in 1882 during the Anglo-Egyptian War._ > And Arabi found ’twas useless labor, His strong trench of Tel-el-Kebir Ahmed Urabi realized his defenses at Tel-el-Kebir were futile. _The Battle of Tel-el-Kebir in 1882 ended Egyptian resistance._ > Egyptians now no more revile The Christians on the banks of Nile Egyptians ceased to persecute Christians along the Nile. _Outcome of the British victory in Egypt._ > We have sung three heroes’ names. Havelock from the land of Thames, And Campbell from the banks of Clyde, And Wolseley from Liffy’s side The poem honors three British commanders: Havelock (Thames), Campbell (Clyde), and Wolseley (Liffey). _Celebrates Generals Havelock, Campbell, and Wolseley._ > When rose, thistle, shamrock unite They do prove victors in the fight When England, Scotland, and Ireland unite, they are victorious. _Symbolic unity of the British Isles._ > Now Britain once more does command Respect alike on sea and land Britain again commands respect both at sea and on land. _Affirmation of British global power._ > But now may wars forever cease And mankind ever live in peace May wars end permanently and humanity live in peace. _Concluding wish for universal peace._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/wars-in-queen-victoria-s-reign - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters