The Knights' Chorus

From "Idylls of the King"

Blow trumpet, for the world is white with May; Blow trumpet, the long night hath roll'd away! Blow thro' the living world—Let the King reign.
Shall Rome or Heathen rule in Arthur's realm? Flash brand and lance, fall battleaxe upon helm,5 Fall battleaxe, and flash brand! Let the King reign.
Strike for the King and live! his knights have heard That God hath told the King a secret word. Fall battleaxe, and flash brand! Let the King reign.
Blow trumpet! he will lift us from the dust!10 Blow trumpet! live the strength, and die the lust! Clang battleaxe, and clash brand! Let the King reign.
Strike for the King and die! and if thou diest, The King is King, and ever wills the highest. Clang battleaxe, and clash brand! Let the king reign.15
Blow, for our Sun is mighty in his May! Blow, for our Sun is mightier day by day! Clang battleaxe, and clash brand! Let the King reign.
The King will follow Christ, and we the King In whom high God hath breathed a secret thing.20 Fall battleaxe, and flash brand! Let the King reign.

—Alfred Tennyson

How do you describe this poem from the standpoint of; (1) the amount of energy, (2) excitement or nervous tension? With what Force and in what Pitch should it be read? (Introduction, pp. and .)

Account for the Time in which it is read. (Introduction, p. .)

What is the purpose of the question in stanza ii? How is this purpose indicated by the Inflection? (Introduction, p. .)