fellandfaironline:“Then should the warlike Harry, like himself, assume the port of Mars; and at his
fellandfaironline:“Then should the warlike Harry, like himself, assume the port of Mars; and at his heels, leash’d in like hounds, should famine, sword and fire crouch for employment.” I think the world has lost its vision of Mars, the god of war. But how could it not? For the last three centuries wars have been fought by men under orders from kings, often thousands of miles away. Who was the last king to ride into battle? Perhaps Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden. Maybe and argument could be made for Napoleon, usurper though he be. I’m not sure. But it seems to me that as wars have grown in scale and consequence, few kings have taken on the vestige of Mars to wage them. Men like Richard the Lionheart, Alfred the Great, Charlemagne and Robert Bruce are no longer to be found at the head of their armies, banners blazing like the sun over an earth scorched with fire and stained with blood. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not. Perhaps if a few more leaders wore the mask of Mars they would better know what they fought for, and if it was worth it or not. War is a serious business, and should only be embarked upon by those who know its cost and what is to be gained by it. For the wolves know what is to be gained. So perhaps a few more shepherds at the head of the sheepdogs would not be a bad thing. Photo by Apollo himself @nicolasbruno (at Agincourt) -- source link