Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AFTER READING 'ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA' by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: AS WHEN THE HUNT BY HOLT AND FIELD
Last Line: THAN BE ALIVE TO-NIGHT.
Subject(s): CLEOPATRA, QUEEN OF EGYPT (69-30 B.C.); SEA; OCEAN;
AS when the hunt by holt and field
Drives on with horn and strife,
Hunger of hopeless things pursues
Our spirits throughout life.

The sea's roar fills us aching full
Of objectless desire --
The sea's roar, and the white moon-shine,
And the reddening of the fire.

Who talks to me of reason now?
It would be more delight
To have died in Cleopatra's arms
Than be alive to-night.



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