The Charge of the Light Brigade
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian reel
Fought all the day and fell.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
This poem, written by Alfred Lord Tennyson, tells the story of the British Light Brigade's ill-fated charge at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War. It is a powerful and stirring piece of writing that captures the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers involved.
Tips for Declamation:
* Focus on the rhythm and rhyme of the poem. The poem is written in a very regular meter, and the rhymes are very strong. This will help you to deliver it with a sense of momentum.
* Emphasize the key words and phrases. Some of the most powerful words and phrases in the poem are: "valley of Death," "six hundred," "cannon," "sabres bare," "glory," and "honour." Make sure to emphasize these words and phrases so that they stand out.
* Use your voice to create a sense of drama and excitement. The poem is full of action, and you should use your voice to convey this action. You can do this by varying your speed, volume, and pitch.
* Project your voice. You want the audience to be able to hear you clearly, so make sure you project your voice and speak with confidence.
* Practice, practice, practice! The more you practice, the more confident you will be in your delivery.
I hope this helps you to deliver a powerful and memorable declamation!