Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SAINT AND THE HUNCHBACK by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS

Poet Analysis

First Line: STAND UP AND LIFT YOUR HAND AND BLESS
Last Line: BUT MOST TO ALCIBIADES.
Subject(s): HUNCHBACKS;

@3Hunchback@1. Stand up and lift your hand and bless
A man that finds great bitterness
In thinking of his lost renown.
A Roman Caesar is held down
Under this hump.

@3Saint@1. God tries each man
According to a different plan.
I shall not cease to bless because
I lay about me with the taws
That night and morning I may thrash
Greek Alexander from my flesh,
Augustus Caesar, and after these
That great rogue Alcibiades.

@3Hunchback@1. To all that in your flesh have stood
And blessed, I give my gratitude,
Honoured by all in their degrees,
But most to Alcibiades.



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