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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FAILURE by RUPERT BROOKE

Poet Analysis

First Line: BECAUSE GOD PUT HIS ADAMANTINE FATE
Last Line: AND ST+IRRED THE HEAVY CURTAINS ON THE WALLS.
Subject(s): SOLDIERS' WRITINGS;

Because God put His adamantine fate
Between my sullen heart and its desire,
I swore that I would burst the Iron Gate,
Rise up, and curse Him on His throne of fire.
Earth shuddered at my crown of blasphemy,
But Love was as a flame about my feet;
Proud up the Golden Stair I strode; and beat
Thrice on the Gate, and entered with a cry --

All the great courts were quiet in the sun,
And full of vacant echoes: moss had grown
Over the glassy pavement, and begun
To creep within the dusty council-halls.
An idle wind blew round an empty throne
And st+irred the heavy curtains on the walls.






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