12th English : Incident of the French Camp
Unit 6.2 > Incident of the French Camp
Warm up
Have you played chess or watched the game carefully?
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| King | Queen | Bishop | Horse | Rook | Soldier |
] The King can move one space in any direction. He can never move in to check.
] The Queen is placed next to the king. Like the king, she can move in any direction. She can move any number of spaces in any direction.
] The Bishops can move along the diagonals of the chessboard. One Bishop starts on a white square and the other starts on a black square.
] The Knights / Horse move in an L-shape.
] The Rooks can move up and down the board.
] The pawn has the option to move forward one space or two spaces. After this move, they can move one space forward.
Glossary
- stormed – sudden violent attack
- Ratisbon – (German Regensburg) a city in Austria
- mound – hillock/ hill
- out-thrust – extended forward
- fancy – imagine
- prone – inclined downward
- oppressive – harsh, domineering
- mused – thought deeply
- Lannes – Duke of Montebello, a general in Napoleon’s army.
- bridle – the head gear used to control a horse
- compressed – pressed together
- anon – soon
- flag-bird – the imperial eagle on the French flag
- perched – sat on, rested
- sheathes – covers
1. Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the poem.
The poet Robert Browning narrates an incident at the French Camp in the war of 1809 between France and Austria, in a (a) dramatic version. He describes the brave action of a (b) valiant soldier, whose heroic devotion to duty and his (c) pride in it is inspiring and worthy of (d) admiration.
During the attack of the French army on Ratisbon, Napoleon was anxious about the (e) result. Austrians were defending Ratisbon with great (f) determination and courage. Napoleon was watching the war standing on a (g) mound near the battlefield.
All of a sudden a rider appeared from the closed smoke and dust. Riding at great speed, jumping and leaping, he approached the mound where Napoleon stood. As he came closer, the narrator noticed that the rider, a young boy, was severely wounded. But the rider showed no sign of pain and smiling in joy, jumped off the horse and gave the happy news of (h) victory to the emperor.
e that the French had (i) conquered Ratisbon and he himself had hoisted the flag of France. When Napoleon heard the news, his plans (j) soared up like fire. His eyes (k) softened when he saw that the soldier was severely wounded. Like a caring mother eagle, the emperor asked if he was wounded. The (l) wounded soldier replied proudly that he was killed and died heroically
| determination | pride | wounded | conquered |
| result | admiration | mound | soared |
| dramatic | softened | victory | valiant |
2. Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.
a. Who do you think is the narrator of the poem?
One of the French soldiers is the narrator of the poem.
b. Where was the narrator when the incident happened?
The narrator was in the French Camp when the incident happened.
c. Who took the city of Ratisbon by storm?
The French army took the city of Ratisbon by storm.
d. Where was Napoleon standing on the day of attack on the city of Ratisbon?
Napoleon was standing on a little mound near the battle field.
e. Describe the posture of Napoleon.
Napoleon was standing with his neck out-thrust, legs wide and arms locked behind.
f. Who came galloping on a horse to Napoleon?
A young soldier came galloping on a horse to Napoleon.
g. What does the phrase ‘full galloping’ suggest?
The phrase, ‘full galloping’ suggests that the horse is running at its fastest.
h. Why was the rider in a hurry?
The rider was in a hurry to give the happy news of victory to the emperor.
i. What did the rider do when he reached Napoleon?
The rider exclaimed with pride that French had conquered Ratisbon and he himself had hoisted the flag of France.
j. Why did the rider keep his lips compressed ?
He wanted to block the flow of blood from his mouth. So he kept his lips compressed.
k. Where did the rider plant the French flag after Ratisbon was captured?
After Ratisbon was captured, the rider planted the French flag in the market-place.
l. What was Napoleon’s reaction on hearing the news of victory?
Napoleon’s eyes flashed and his plans soared up like fire when he heard the news of victory.
m. When did the narrator find that the boy was badly wounded?
When the boy kept his lips compressed to prevent the flow of blood from his mouth, the narrator found that he was badly wounded.
n. Why did Napoleon’s eyes become soft as a mother eagle’s eyes?
Napoleon’s eyes became soft when he found that the young soldier was wounded.
o. How did the young soldier face his end?
He faced his end courageously and proudly.
3. Literary Devices.
“Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound in successive or nearby words.” Note that in
alliteration the sound and sense go together.
a. Mark the rhyme scheme of the poem. The rhyme scheme for the first stanza is as follows:
With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, – a
Legs wide, arms locked behind, – b
As if to balance the prone brow – a
Oppressive with its mind. – b
4. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow
a) “Legs wide, arms locked behind,
As if to balance the prone brow
Oppressive with its mind”.
i. Whose action is described here?
Napoleon’s action is described here.
ii. What is meant by prone brow?
The phrase, ‘prone brow’ means eye brow inclined downward. It conveys anxiety and concern.
iii. What is his state of mind?
Napoleon was anxious.
b) ‘You’re wounded!’ ‘Nay’, his soldier’s pride
Touched to the quick, he said:
i. Why did the boy contradict Napoleon’s words?
The boy felt proud to die for his country. So he contradicted Napoleon’s words by saying that he was killed and not wounded.
ii. Why was his pride touched?
His pride was touched to the quick when Napoleon asked him whether he was wounded.
c) “A film the mother-eagle’s eye
When her bruised eaglet breathes”
i. Who is compared to the mother eagle in the above lines?
Napoleon is compared to the mother eagle.
ii. Explain the comparison.
The concerned mother eagle sees her bruised eagle that breathes painfully. Likewise Napoleon worriedly looks at the wounded soldier.
5. Explain the following lines with reference to the context. (ERC)
i. “Then off there flung in smiling joy,
And held himself erect”
Reference:-
These lines are taken from the poem, ‘Incident of the French Camp’ written by Robert Browning.
Context:-
The poet emphasises the pride of the young soldier.
Explanation:-
When Napolean was standing on a mound and watching the war between France and Austria, he saw a young soldier approaching him. A young soldier appeared from the battery – smokes. Riding at great speed, he jumped off his horse. He was smiling out of joy. He stood straight with the help of the horse’s mane. He approached the mound where Napoleon was standing to announce the happy news of victory.
ii. “I’m killed, Sire!’ And, his Chief beside,
Smiling, the boy fell dead”.
Reference:-
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Incident of the French Camp’ written by Robert Browning.
Context:-
The poet utters these words to bring out the courage and pride of the young soldier.
Explanation:-
The young soldier was severly wounded. Inspite of it, he rode fast and approached Napoleon to give the news of victory. The young soldier kept his lips compressed to prevent the flow of blood from his mouth. He exclaimed with pride that French had conquered Ratisbon. Hearing the news, Napoleon became extremely happy. But his eyes softened when he saw that the soldier was severely wounded. The soldier felt proud to say that he was killed and fell dead with a smile.
iii. “To see your flag-bird flap his vans
Where I, to heart’s desire, Perched him”!’
Reference:-
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Incident of the French Camp’ written by Robert Browning.
Context:-
The poet utters these words to bring the news of victory through the young soldier.
Explanation:-
The young soldier informed Napoleon that French had conquered Ratisbon. The French army had a tough battle at Ratisbon. Finally they conquered Ratisbon. The young soldier himself had hoisted the French flag in the market place.
6. Answer the following questions in about 100–150 words each.
a) The young soldier matched his emperor in courage and patriotism. Elucidate your answer.
To see your flag-bird flap his vans
Where I, to heart’s desire,
Perched him!’
The young soldier, though wounded fatally, became determined to convey the happy news of victory to Napoleon. He rode the horse at his fastest. He approached the mound where the emperor was standing. He kept his lips compressed in order to prevent the flow of blood from his mouth. His breast was shot in two but he was courageous enough to conceal his severe wound. He showed little sign of pain. Smiling in joy, he jumped off the horse and gave the happy news of victory to the emperor, He exclaimed with pride that French had conquered Ratisbon and he himself had hoisted the flag of France. When Napoleon heard the news, his eyes flashed. But presently, he became concerned. He asked if he was wounded. The wounded soldier proudly said that he was killed. Indeed he died heroically.
My plans
That soar, to earth may fall
Let once my army leader Lannes
Waver at the yonder wall
b) What is the role of the young soldier in the victory of the French at Ratisbon?
‘Well’, cried he, ‘Emperor, by God’s grace
We’ve got you Ratisbon!
The young soldier fought courageously at Ratisbon. After French army had conquered Ratisbon, he himself hoisted the flag of France. He longed to convey the happy news of victory to the emperor. He wanted to be the first to announce the news of victory. Despite severe wounds he rode on his horse back at his fastest. He concealed his wounds and kept his lips compressed. He showed no sign of pain. He approached the mound where Napoleon was standing. He exclaimed with joy and pride that French had conquered Ratisbon. He fell dead heroically
To see your flag-bird flap his vans
Where I, to heart’s desire,
Perched him!’
c) Napoleon was a great source of inspiration to his army. Justify.
Then off there flung in smiling joy
And held himself erect.
During the attack of the French army at Ratisbon, Napoleon’s army was attacking Ratisbon with determination. He was standing on a mound near the battle field. He had his neck out-thrust with legs wide and arms locked behind. It shows that he was standing majestically though he thought that his plans might fall to earth. Outwardly he did not show any sign of worry or desperation. When the young soldier announced the happy news of victory, his eyes became bright. His plans soared up like fire. Presently his eyes softened when he saw that the soldier was severly wounded. Like a caring mother eagle watching her bruised eaglet he asked the soldier if he was wounded. His posture and action proved that he was august and awe-inspiring. No doubt he was a great source of inspiration to his army.
‘You’re wounded!’ ‘Nay’, his soldier’s pride
Touched to the quick, he said:
‘I’m killed, Sire!’
Listening
Some words have been left out in the poem below. First, read the poem. Then, fill in the missing words on listening to the reading or the recording of it in full. You may listen again, if required.
The Drum
John Scott (1731 – 83)
I hate that drum’s discordant sound,
Parading round, and round, and round:
To thoughtless youth it pleasure yields,
And lures from cities and from fields, sell their liberty for charms
Of tawdry lace, and glittering arms;
And when Ambition’s voice commands,
To march, and fight, and fall, in foreign lands.
I hate that drum’s discordant sound,
Parading round, and round, and round;
To me it talks of ravag’d plains,
And burning towns, and ruin’d swains,
And all that Misery’s hand bestows,
To fill the catalogue of human woes.
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