Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CASUALTY by CHRISTOPHER DARLINGTON MORLEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: A WELL-SHARP'D PENCIL LEADS ONE ON TO WRITE
Last Line: HAVE (QUITE IMPROMPTU) LEAPT, AND ENDED LIFE.
A WELL-SHARP'D pencil leads one on to write:
When guns are cocked, the shot is guaranteed;
The primed occasion puts the deed in sight:
Who steals a book who knows not how to read?

Seeing a pulpit, who can silence keep?
A maid, who would not dream her ta'en to wife?
Men looking down from some sheer dizzy steep
Have (quite impromptu) leapt, and ended life.



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