The Ballad of the White Horse
Chesterton's long poem tells how Alfred, king of Wessex, driven into hiding by the Danes, gathers Saxons, Romans and Celts and wins the battle of Ethandune. It opens under the prehistoric chalk horse cut into the Berkshire downs and treats the ninth-century war as a struggle between a Christian order that must be endlessly renewed and the cheerful nihilism of the invaders. Published in 1911, it is written in rolling ballad stanzas built for reading aloud, and its most quoted lines concern the Virgin's warning to Alfred that he will have joy without a cause and faith without a hope. Chesterton considered it his best work, and it is his only book-length poem. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first part free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Ballad of the White Horse
The Ballad of the White Horse by G. K. Chesterton can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Ballad of the White Horse online?
Yes. The Ballad of the White Horse opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Ballad of the White Horse free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Ballad of the White Horse is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Ballad of the White Horse in the public domain?
Yes. The Ballad of the White Horse by G. K. Chesterton is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Ballad of the White Horse?
About 1 h 10 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Ballad of the White Horse?
The Ballad of the White Horse by G. K. Chesterton is filed under "Poetry" in the Vinteuil library.
