Once on a time he would have said -- Not all the ghouls of sorcery Can make me hang a craven head Nor shake a whimper out of me. For I could top that sullen night, Or outwear any woe that came, And look on good or evil plight As but the chances of a game. But now a night-hag hath me down! And I am staring, suddenly, As one who wakens from renown To staring notoriety -- The king his diadem shall wear! The half-king wear what gaud he can Until Time swings him by the hair, No king at all, and scarce a man! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MEMORIAL VERSES by MATTHEW ARNOLD AN ODE TO HIMSELF by BEN JONSON ANIMAL TRANQUILITY AND DECAY; A SKETCH by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH AN OLD BURYING GROUND by ELFRIDA DE RENNE BARROW MY ALPENSTOCK by HENRY GLASSFORD BELL |