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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO THE DUKE OF ARGYLL by ALFRED TENNYSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: O PATRIOT STATESMAN, BE THOU WISE TO KNOW
Last Line: IN CHANGING, CHIME WITH NEVER-CHANGING LAW.
Subject(s): CAMPBELL, GEORGE JOHN (1823-1900); STATESMEN; ARGYLL, 8TH DUKE OF;

O PATRIOT Statesman, be thou wise to know
The limits of resistance, and the bounds
Determining concession; still be bold
Not only to slight praise but suffer scorn;
And be thy heart a fortress to maintain
The day against the moment, and the year
Against the day; thy voice, a music heard
Thro' all the yells and counter-yells of feud
And faction, and thy will, a power to make
This ever-changing world of circumstance,
In changing, chime with never-changing Law.





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