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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON TALK OF PEACE AT THIS TIME by ROBERT FROST

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: FRANCE. FRANCE, I KNOW NOT WHAT IS IN MY HEART
Last Line: IS MADE SECURE FOR US AND HELL IS THWARTED.
Subject(s): FRANCE; PEACE; WORLD WAR I; FIRST WORLD WAR;

France. France, I know not what is in my heart.
But God forbid that I should be more brave
As watcher from a quiet place apart
Than you are fighting in an open grave.
I will not ask more of you than you ask
O Bravest, of yourself. But shall I less?
You know the depth of your appointed task
Whether you still can bear its bloodiness.
Not mine to say you shall not think of peace.
Not mine, not mine: I almost know your pain.
But I will not believe that you will cease,
Nor will I bid you cease, from being slain
Till everything that might have been distorted
Is made secure for us and Hell is thwarted.



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