The Ballad of the White Horse (Version 2)
G. K. Chesterton
Read by Gayle Cato
The Ballad of the White Horse is a poem by G K Chesterton about the idealized exploits of the Saxon King Alfred the Great, published in 1911. Written in ballad form, the work is usually considered an epic poem. The poem narrates how Alfred was able to defeat the invading Danes at the Battle of Ethandun under the auspices of God working through the agency of the Virgin Mary. In addition to being a narration of Alfred's militaristic and political accomplishments, it is also considered a Catholic allegory. Chesterton incorporates a significant amount of philosophy into the basic structure of the story. (Introduction by Wikipedia)
(1 hr 52 min)Chapters
| Prefatory Note & Dedication | 7:37 | Read by Gayle Cato |
| Book I - The Vision of the King | 11:20 | Read by Gayle Cato |
| Book II - The Gathering of the Chiefs | 11:24 | Read by Gayle Cato |
| Book III - The Harp of Alfred | 16:11 | Read by Gayle Cato |
| Book IV - The Woman in the Forest | 12:34 | Read by Gayle Cato |
| Book V - Ethandune: The First Stroke | 11:55 | Read by Gayle Cato |
| Book VI - Ethandune: The Slaying of the Chiefs | 11:55 | Read by Gayle Cato |
| Book VII - Ethandune: The Last Charge | 15:00 | Read by Gayle Cato |
| Book VIII - The Scouring of the Horse | 14:34 | Read by Gayle Cato |
Reviews
History in Rhyme
Sherry Woomert
There is more to this than History. Chesterton has been prophetic with his usual spiritual insightfulness.
Fairly Interesting
Olaf Que Pasta
Good example of alliterative poetry. Lyrical.