Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DEATH THE LEVELLER, FR. THE CONTENTION OF AJAX AND ULYSSES, by JAMES SHIRLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DEATH THE LEVELLER, FR. THE CONTENTION OF AJAX AND ULYSSES, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The glories of our blood and state / are shadows, not substantial things
Last Line: Smell sweet, and blossom in their dust.
Variant Title(s): Calchas's Song;death The Conqueror;earth's Victories;of Death;the King Of Kings;song: No Armour Against Fate;blood And State;a Dirge
Subject(s): Courage; Death; Holidays; New Year; War; Valor; Bravery; Dead, The


The glories of our blood and state
Are shadows, not substantial things;
There is no armour against fate;
Death lays his icy hand on kings.
Sceptre and crown
Must tumble down,
And in the dust be equal made
With the poor crooked scythe and spade.

Some men with swords may reap the field,
And plant fresh laurels where they kill;
But their strong nerves at last must yield,
They tame but one another still.
Early or late,
They stoop to fate,
And must give up their murmuring breath
When they, pale captives, creep to death.

The garlands wither on your brow,
Then boast no more your mighty deeds;
Upon death's purple altar now
See where the victor-victim bleeds.
Your heads must come
To the cold tomb;
Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet, and blossom in their dust.





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