'O MONSTROUS, dead, unprofitable world, That thou canst hear, and hearing, hold thy way. A voice oracular hath peal'd to-day, To-day a hero's banner is unfurl'd. Hast thou no lip for welcome?' So I said. Man after man, the world smil'd and pass'd by: A smile of wistful incredulity As though one spake of noise unto the dead: Scornful, and strange, and sorrowful; and full Of bitter knowledge. Yet the Will is free: Strong is the Soul, and wise, and beautiful: The seeds of godlike power are in us still: Gods are we, Bards, Saints, Heroes, if we will.-- Dumb judges, answer, truth or mockery? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY FATHER'S FACE by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE MERCY OF LAZARUS by STEPHEN DOBYNS CITIES OF THE PLAIN by EDGAR LEE MASTERS DOMESDAY BOOK: WIDOW FORTELKA by EDGAR LEE MASTERS RICHARD BOOTH TO HIS SON JUNIUS BRUTUS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ALFRED MOIR by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |