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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET: TO J.M.K. by ALFRED TENNYSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: MY HOPE AND HEART IS WITH THEE - THOU WILT BE
Last Line: ARROWS OF LIGHTNINGS. I WILL STAND AND MARK.
Subject(s): KEMBLE, JOHN MITCHELL (1807-1857);

MY hope and heart is with thee -- thou wilt be
A latter Luther, and a soldier-priest
To scare church-harpies from the master's feast;
Our dusted velvets have much need of thee:
Thou art no Sabbath-drawler of old saws,
Distill'd from some worm-canker'd homily;
But spurr'd at heart with fieriest energy
To embattail and to wall about thy cause
With iron-worded proof, hating to hark
The humming of the drowsy pulpit-drone
Half God's good Sabbath, while the worn-out clerk
Brow-beats his desk below. Thou from a throne
Mounted in heaven wilt shoot into the dark
Arrows of lightnings. I will stand and mark.



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