Speak of her not with dull or careless reference, Gravely recall the bright name of the dead, The doom-defyer, forced at last to deference Before the mindless air, the dim sea-bed. She was all human, at once shrinking and furious. Pricked by a fear the brave alone endure (Strange cancer in a species frail and curious) She quenched her torment with a desperate cure. Foolish to wager all by man beloved? Swift lusty life so vainly fed to glory Only to win the grim eventual grave -- Yet this most wilful gesture, to the story Of human grandeur, fresh coronas gave. Speak of her proudly then, so valiant proved! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PRISONER (A FRAGMENT) by EMILY JANE BRONTE EPITHALAMIUM by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN ELEGY BEFORE DEATH by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY A WOMAN'S APOLOGY by ALFRED AUSTIN THE QUEST OF SUMMER by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON |