From Many Times and Lands

F. L. Lucas's From Many Times and Lands (1953) is a volume of some one hundred original poems, mostly dramatic monologues, vignettes, and narratives, based on historical episodes "that seem lastingly alive".

The note to 'Olver Barnakarl', for example, reads: A number of the longer poems explore the techniques of handling, one-to-one, dangerous people in positions of absolute power.

Cases in point include the court poet Yuan Shen and Emperor Ming Huang in 'The Smile that cost an Empire'; Sir John Cornwall and Henry V (after the death of Sir John's son at the Siege of Maux) in 'King Hal'; Anthony Jenkinson and Tsar Ivan in 'Ivan the Terrible'; and counsellor Yeliu Chutsai and Genghiz Khan in 'The End of Genghiz'.

Typical in its message is 'The Last Hope of Constantinople', telling the story of the fast Greek sailing boat sent from Constantinople during the desperate last days of the siege in 1453, to scour the Greek coasts for news of the promised Venetian fleet coming to the city's rescue – and to report back.

But the cheering falters: The missing crew member, Spiridion Sathas, who had argued for flight, has stolen away by night in the row-boat.

[5] A number of the poems were reprinted in mid-20th century anthologies, notably two of the most gruesome: 'The Repentance of Gabrino Fondolo, Lord of Cremona',[6] a Browning-esque dramatic monologue about Fondolo's regret, as he awaits execution, at the opportunity he missed of throwing the Pope, the Holy Roman Emperor, and the Doge from the top of Cremona tower on their joint visit to his city as guests;[7] and 'Spain, 1809', the story of a village woman's revenge on some French soldiers during the Peninsular War,[8] which Margaret Wood turned into a stage-play, A Kind of Justice (1966).

Among poems reprinted that were based on legend rather than history was 'The Destined Hour' (1953), a re-telling in verse of the old Arabic 'Appointment in Samarra' fable.