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by William Collins On the bloody field of Monmouth Flashed the guns of Greene and Wayne. Fiercely roared the tide of battle, Thick the sward was heaped with slain. Foremost, facing death and danger, Hessian, horse, and grenadier, In the vanguard, fiercely fighting, Stood an Irish Cannonier. Loudly roared his iron cannon, Mingling ever in the strife, And beside him, firm and daring, Stood his faithful Irish wife. Of her bold contempt of danger Greene and Lee's Brigades could tell, Every one knew "Captain Molly," And the army loved her well. Surged the roar of battle round them, Swiftly flew the iron hail, Forward dashed a thousand bayonets, That lone battery to assail. From the foeman's foremost columns Swept a furious fusillade, Mowing down the massed battalions In the ranks of Greene's Brigade. Fast and faster worked the gunner, Soiled with powder, blood, and dust, English bayonets shone before him, Shot and shell around him burst; Still he fought with reckless daring, Stood and manned her long and well, Till at last the gallant fellow Dead—beside his cannon fell. With a bitter cry of sorrow, And a dark and angry frown, Looked that band of gallant patriots At their gunner stricken down. "Fall back, comrades, it is folly Thus to strive against the foe." "No! not so," cried Irish Molly; "We can strike another blow." * * * * * Quickly leaped she to the cannon, In her fallen husband's place, Sponged and rammed it fast and steady, Fired it in the foeman's face. Flashed another ringing volley, Roared another from the gun; "Boys, hurrah!" cried gallant Molly, "For the flag of Washington." Greene's Brigade, though shorn and shattered, Slain and bleeding half their men, When they heard that Irish slogan, Turned and charged the foe again. Knox and Wayne and Morgan rally, To the front they forward wheel, And before their rushing onset Clinton's English columns reel. Still the cannon's voice in anger Rolled and rattled o'er the plain, Till there lay in swarms around it Mangled heaps of Hessian slain. "Forward! charge them with the bayonet!" 'Twas the voice of Washington, And there burst a fiery greeting From the Irish woman's gun. Monckton falls; against his columns Leap the troops of Wayne and Lee, And before their reeking bayonets Clinton's red battalions flee. Morgan's rifles, fiercely flashing, Thin the foe's retreating ranks, And behind them onward dashing Ogden hovers on their flanks. Fast they fly, these boasting Britons, Who in all their glory came, With their brutal Hessian hirelings To wipe out our country's name. Proudly floats the starry banner, Monmouth's glorious field is won, And in triumph Irish Molly Stands beside her smoking gun. "Molly Maguire at Monmouth" by William Collins (4 points) Sight Sound With a bitter cry of sorrow On the bloody field of Monmouth Loudly roared his iron cannon English bayonets shone before him
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GPT-4o mini
In the poem "Molly Maguire at Monmouth" by William Collins, the imagery of sight and sound plays an important role in conveying the intensity of the battle and the heroism of Irish Molly. Here are some examples of each:
### Sight:
1. **"On the bloody field of Monmouth"** - This evokes a powerful visual image of the battlefield, emphasizing the bloodshed and violence.
2. **"English bayonets shone before him"** - This line creates a vivid picture of the enemy soldiers, making their weapons appear threatening and gleaming in the chaos of battle.
3. **"Mangled heaps of Hessian slain"** - This graphic depiction gives a stark visual of the casualties on the battlefield, highlighting the brutality of the conflict.
4. **"Proudly floats the starry banner"** - This imagery suggests a moment of victory and national pride, as the flag symbolizes triumph and hope.
### Sound:
1. **"With a bitter cry of sorrow"** - This line introduces an auditory element that conveys the emotional weight of loss and grief amidst the battle.
2. **"Loudly roared his iron cannon"** - The sound of the cannon evokes the explosive and fierce nature of the combat, emphasizing the chaos and violence of war.
3. **"Roared another from the gun"** - This suggests the continuation of the cannon's fire, reinforcing the persistent sounds of battle that dominate the scene.
4. **"Flashed another ringing volley"** - The use of "ringing" suggests a sharp, clear sound that accompanies the cannonfire, adding to the auditory imagery of the conflict.
Overall, these elements of sight and sound work together to create a vivid and immersive experience of the battle at Monmouth, highlighting the bravery of Molly and her fellow patriots.
### Sight:
1. **"On the bloody field of Monmouth"** - This evokes a powerful visual image of the battlefield, emphasizing the bloodshed and violence.
2. **"English bayonets shone before him"** - This line creates a vivid picture of the enemy soldiers, making their weapons appear threatening and gleaming in the chaos of battle.
3. **"Mangled heaps of Hessian slain"** - This graphic depiction gives a stark visual of the casualties on the battlefield, highlighting the brutality of the conflict.
4. **"Proudly floats the starry banner"** - This imagery suggests a moment of victory and national pride, as the flag symbolizes triumph and hope.
### Sound:
1. **"With a bitter cry of sorrow"** - This line introduces an auditory element that conveys the emotional weight of loss and grief amidst the battle.
2. **"Loudly roared his iron cannon"** - The sound of the cannon evokes the explosive and fierce nature of the combat, emphasizing the chaos and violence of war.
3. **"Roared another from the gun"** - This suggests the continuation of the cannon's fire, reinforcing the persistent sounds of battle that dominate the scene.
4. **"Flashed another ringing volley"** - The use of "ringing" suggests a sharp, clear sound that accompanies the cannonfire, adding to the auditory imagery of the conflict.
Overall, these elements of sight and sound work together to create a vivid and immersive experience of the battle at Monmouth, highlighting the bravery of Molly and her fellow patriots.