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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO A MODERN POET by CHARLES WILLIAMS

First Line: NOBLEST AMONG THE SPIRITS THAT DENY
Last Line: SHALL QUENCH THE EPOCH AND THE GRIEF OF MAN.
Subject(s): POETRY & POETS;

NOBLEST among the spirits that deny,
Now when man's mind, so long time the stars drudge
And scavenger of destiny, is made judge
O'er his futurity, can thy gaze espy,
Down the not-infinite slope of prophecy,
The released generations, with less grudge
For thwarted joy, now lightlier forward trudge,
Framing their will and choice wholly to die?

In you our vast conspiracy began
First to be published to itself, and press
To its completion, now through year on year
Strengthening refusal, quelling all love and fear
With love of the hour when absolute Nothingness
Shall quench the epoch and the grief of Man.



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