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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE NEW LIFE by WITTER BYNNER

Poet Analysis

First Line: PERHAPS THEY LAUGHED AT DANTE IN HIS YOUTH
Last Line: SO ANSWERS DANTE TO THE HEART OF YOUTH!
Subject(s): DANTE ALIGHIERI (1265-1321); YOUTH;

Perhaps they laughed at Dante in his youth,
Told him that truth
Had unappealably been said
In the great masterpieces of the dead: --
Perhaps he listened and but bowed his head
In acquiescent honour, while his heart
Held natal tidings, -- that a new life is the part
Of every man that's born,
A new life never lived before,
And a new expectant art;
It is the variations of the morn
That are forever, more and more,
The single dawning of the single truth.
So answers Dante to the heart of youth!










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