Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, War, Politics

    The article begins with an explanatory note: 'The declaration of war between Austria and Prussia was exchanged on the 18th of June [a reference to the Austro-Prussian war of 1866], the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo'. Describes the observations of a battle-weary 'England' in the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo. Represents the warring European nations as eagles that 'England' sees grappling 'stark, / For life and death, with beak and claw', then 'bind / The conquered Eagle [France], as he lay, / Baffled and bleeding, bruised and blind', and later, sitting 'grave and grim, / To rend [...] "freed" Europe, limb by limb'.