Before the Battle – Summary
Before the Battle is a war poem by Siegfried Sassoon, written during the First World War. Although Sassoon did not like war, he was compelled to fight bravely against the Germans in France. The poem captures the speaker’s thoughts and emotions in the moments before a battle.
In the first stanza, the speaker describes a peaceful riverside scene at evening. The atmosphere is calm, with the gentle whisper of trees and the shimmering movement of the river’s water in the breeze. Birds sing softly as darkness gradually covers the land. The speaker addresses the quietly flowing streams, asking them to guide him into the darkness, where he feels safe and hidden from danger.
In the second stanza, darkness brings him comfort and fearlessness. He feels no need to pray for his safety, as the night shields him from the horrors of war. The loud, harsh sounds of the battlefield fade in the stillness of the night. Starlight reveals yellow lilies along the riverbank, and the speaker asks the stars to guide him through the night.
Symbolically, darkness represents death—a release from the terrors of war. The speaker seems to prefer death over facing the violent reality of battle, believing it would bring peace and freedom from fear.
Theme:
The poem shows the thoughts and feelings of a soldier just before a battle. It talks about his fear, worry, and wish for peace. The poem compares the calmness of nature and night with the violence of war. Darkness in the poem represents both a safe place and a symbol of death.
In the end, the poem sends a strong anti-war message. It shows that war is useless and everyone, even soldiers, wants safety and peace. Sassoon tells us that war destroys not only beautiful places but also brings sadness.
Watch and Read the Summary in Nepali: https://youtu.be/yHt-yoG4_9A