The Ballad of Ensign Joy: Poetry Guide and Free Edition
The Ballad of Ensign Joy: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Ballad of Ensign Joy is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Hornung, E. W. (Ernest William) (1866–1921).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Ballad of Ensign Joy" by E. W. Hornung is a narrative poem written during the early 20th century, specifically during the World War I era. The poem explores themes of love, valor, and the harsh realities of war through the eyes of its protagonist, Ensign Joy, and his romantic interest, Ermyntrude. It captures the emotional landscape of young soldiers responding to their country's call, intertwining personal relationships with the broader context of conflict. The story follows Ensign Joy, a youthful soldier whose playful demeanor is contrasted with the grim nature of warfare he faces. He shares a complicated relationship with Ermyntrude, a girl representing traditional values and societal expectations. As Joy ventures to the front lines, he pens letters filled with bravado and humor, masking the horrors he witnesses. Ultimately, as the war progresses, his spirited character encounters the war's brutal truth, leading to a pivotal moment of shame and sacrifice. The poem concludes with reflections on love and loss, emphasizing the resilience of those left behind as they navigate their grief and continuing lives amidst the backdrop of war's memory.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Ballad of Ensign Joy
- Author credits: Hornung, E. W. (Ernest William) (1866–1921)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Poetry
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: History - Modern (1750+)
- Category: Poetry
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


