Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE MARTYRS by EMILY DICKINSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: THROUGH THE STRAIGHT [OR, STRAIT] PASS OF SUFFERING
Last Line: WADES SO, THROUGH POLAR AIR.
Subject(s): MARTYRS;

THROUGH the straight pass of suffering
The martyrs even trod,
Their feet upon temptation,
Their faces upon God.

A stately, shriven company;
Convulsion playing round,
Harmless as streaks of meteor
Upon a planet's bound.

Their faith the everlasting troth;
Their expectation fair;
The needle to the north degree
Wades so, through polar air.



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