Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

COMPROMISE by ALFRED TENNYSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: STEERSMAN, BE NOT PRECIPITATE IN THY ACT
Last Line: TAKE THOU THE BEND, 'T WILL SAVE THEE MANY A DAY.
Subject(s): GLADSTONE, WILLIAM EWART (1809-1898);
STEERSMAN, be not precipitate in thy act
Of steering, for the river here, my friend,
Parts in two channels, moving to one end.
This goes straight forward to the cataract,
That streams about the bend;
But tho' the cataract seem the nearer way,
Whate'er the crowd on either bank may say,
Take thou the bend, 't will save thee many a day.



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