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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE MAN AND THE CENTAUR; THE MAN by WILLIAM SHARP

First Line: UPON THE MOUNTAIN-HEIGHTS THOU GOEST
Last Line: THE SHADOW OF WOE?
Subject(s): CENTAURS; GRIEF; SOUL; SORROW; SADNESS;

Upon the mountain-heights thou goest,
As swift as some fierce wind-swept flame;
Thy doom thou scornest while thou knowest
Men mock thy name.
But thou -- thou hast the mountain-splendour,
The lonely streams, blue lakes serene,
Wouldst thou these virgin haunts surrender
For man's demesne?

Wouldst thou, for peaks where eagles gather,
Where moon-white skies slow flush with dawn,
Where, drenched with dew thy chieftain-father
Is far withdrawn --

Wouldst thou all these exchange, give over
Thy wild free joys and all delights,
Thy proud and passionate mountain-lover,
Thy starry nights,

For that drear life in huddled places
Where men like ants move to and fro
Tired men, with ever on their faces
The shadow of woe?



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