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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HERO-WORSHIP; SONNET by AMY LOWELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: A FACE SEEN PASSING IN A CROWDED STREET
Last Line: BURNS ON, AND IT IS MUCH TO HAVE BELIEVED.
Subject(s): HERO-WORSHIP;

A face seen passing in a crowded street,
A voice heard singing music, large and free;
And from that moment life is changed, and we
Become of more heroic temper, meet
To freely ask and give, a man complete
Radiant because of faith, we dare to be
What Nature meant us. Brave idolatry
Which can conceive a hero! No deceit,
No knowledge taught by unrelenting years,
Can quench this fierce, untamable desire.
We know that what we long for once achieved
Will cease to satisfy. Be still our fears;
If what we worship fail us, still the fire
Burns on, and it is much to have believed.





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