The Emperor's Glove
Birds Of Passage. Flight The Fifth
The Emperor's Glove - meaning Summary
Power Judged from Above
Longfellow’s poem sketches a brief scene: Emperor Charles watches Ghent from St. Bavon’s tower while Duke Alva urges its destruction as punishment for rebellion. The city is reduced to a toy-like model below, its people flowing home like rivers. The emperor responds with an offhand question about how many Spanish leather skins would make a glove his size, a remark that highlights imperial detachment and the casual cruelty of power.
Read Complete AnalysesOn St. Bavon's tower, commanding Half of Flanders, his domain, Charles the Emperor once was standing, While beneath him on the landing Stood Duke Alva and his train. Like a print in books of fables, Or a model made for show, With its pointed roofs and gables, Dormer windows, scrolls and labels, Lay the city far below. Through its squares and streets and alleys Poured the populace of Ghent; As a routed army rallies, Or as rivers run through valleys, Hurrying to their homes they went 'Nest of Lutheran misbelievers!' Cried Duke Alva as he gazed; 'Haunt of traitors and deceivers, Stronghold of insurgent weavers, Let it to the ground be razed!' On the Emperor's cap the feather Nods, as laughing he replies: 'How many skins of Spanish leather, Think you, would, if stitched together, Make a glove of such a size?'
Feel free to be first to leave comment.