(i) “Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect” (ii) ‘I’m killed, Sire! ’And, his Chief beside, Smiling, the boy fell dead.”

Question

Explain the following lines with reference to the context

(i) “Then off there flung in smiling joy, 

And held himself erect”

(ii) ‘I’m killed, Sire! ’And, his Chief beside, 

Smiling, the boy fell dead.”

(iii) “To see your flag-birdflap his vans Where I, to heart’s desire, Perched him!

Answer 1

(i) Reference: These words are from the poem ‘Incident of the French Camp” written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation: The narrator says these words while describing the arrival of a boy soldier at the mound where Napoleon was anxiously awaiting news about the battle at Ratisbon. Amidst the smoke of cannon fire, a horse sped fast carrying a boy-soldier. He jumped off the horse with a beaming face. It seemed that he had a brought a good news.

(ii) Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘Incident of the French Camp” written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation: The poet says these words while explaining the hurt reaction of the boy-soldier. The boy-soldier who brought the news of conquest of Ratisbon was all but ‘ split into two. When emperor Napoleon expressed his grief on his wounded status, the boy soldier said, “Nay I’m killed sire.”

(iii) Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘Incident of the French Camp” written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation: The narrator says these through the boy-soldier while explaining his role in the final stages of storming of Ratisbon. He said proudly that he himself hoisted French Flag to his heart’s content at the Market place in Ratisbon.