A.P. Herbert
Boadicea from the Bridge looked down,
And saw the Yankee tanks invade the town.
Boadicea held her head more high
To hail the Sherman and the proud G.I.
‘Eyes right!’ she said. ‘Fine fellows though you are,
You’re not the first to drive an armoured car.
Halt, soldiers, halt! For here is one can tell
A tale of fighting chariots as well.
Look up, brave girls. In a.d. 61
I led the lads, and saw the Roman run.
God speed you too against an alien mob:
God bless you all for joining in the job.
By Grant! By Sherman!’ said the queen of queens.
I wish I’d had such men, and such machines.’
They passed. And Parliament, across the way,
Discussed the principle of equal pay.
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This poem takes a playful, yet pointed, look at history and war, using the figure of Boadicea—ancient warrior queen of the Iceni—as a lens through which to reflect on more modern times, specifically World War II. The poem juxtaposes the ancient and the modern, blending mythological grandeur with the realities of the wartime spirit, all while making a sharp commentary on society’s priorities.
The poem begins with Boadicea looking down from her bridge—a scene that places her in the center of London, watching the invasion of the town by American Sherman tanks and G.I.s. The imagery of Boadicea “holding her head more high” creates a sense of pride, as though she’s acknowledging a connection between her ancient warrior spirit and the modern soldiers passing through. The speaker uses this moment to evoke a sense of continuity between the heroic past and the present, suggesting that the fight for freedom or victory is timeless. She raises her head not in scorn or superiority, but in recognition, a sense of kinship with those fighting to defend their land.
However, Boadicea’s attitude is not one of passive admiration. She immediately establishes her authority by declaring, “Halt, soldiers, halt! For here is one can tell / A tale of fighting chariots as well.” The queen of queens, as she calls herself, isn’t just watching passively; she sees herself as part of the legacy of warriors who fought for their people. The phrase “fighting chariots” is a clear allusion to Boadicea’s own historical battle against the Romans, implying that she, too, was a leader of armed forces and that her chariots were just as important a tool of war as the tanks the soldiers now drive. This clever use of metaphor ties the two different time periods together, linking the ancient with the modern through the imagery of the armored vehicle.
The line “By Grant! By Sherman!” brings in a historical reference to Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, both important figures in the American Civil War. This is a strategic and humorous juxtaposition, as Boadicea, an ancient British warrior, seems to be rallying behind famous American generals. In doing so, the poem cleverly mixes nationalities and historical contexts, bringing together figures who, while from vastly different eras, all fought wars for their respective nations. The line “I wish I’d had such men, and such machines” further emphasizes Boadicea’s wistful admiration for the power of modern technology, her acknowledgment of the advances in warfare, and the efficiency of modern weaponry compared to what she had at her disposal.
The final stanza shifts to a more cynical note. After Boadicea’s reflection on the past and the present, the poem ends with a sharp contrast. Parliament, across the way, is “discussing the principle of equal pay”—a mundane, bureaucratic matter. This abrupt switch from war heroism to a domestic political issue underscores the contrast between the urgent, life-and-death nature of warfare and the sometimes trivial, detached concerns of the political class. The discussion of “equal pay” is a timely, post-war reference, possibly alluding to the social changes and debates of the 1940s, particularly the push for gender equality and the rights of women, who had taken on new roles during the war.
The final line ties it all together with a bit of irony, as the grand, noble tradition of war—exemplified by Boadicea’s noble battle cry and the soldiers marching off to fight—is juxtaposed against the mundane, bureaucratic preoccupation with pay equality. The poem implies that, while soldiers are out there doing the difficult, life-threatening work of war, those in positions of power, such as the politicians in Parliament, are more concerned with internal matters that seem distant from the sacrifice and valor on the front lines.
This poem uses humor and irony to make a broader commentary about the human tendency to take pride in our victories and warrior traditions, while also recognizing the absurdities of modern bureaucracy. It reflects on the continuity of war, from Boadicea’s chariots to the tanks of the 20th century, but also reminds us of the disconnect between the heroic and the mundane realities of civilian life. In doing so, it critiques both the nature of war and the political systems that often seem removed from its true consequences.
At its core, the poem captures a blend of admiration for bravery and heroism, mixed with a cynical observation about the nature of power and politics. It’s a witty, layered reflection on history, war, and the sometimes farcical nature of civilian affairs during wartime.