Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HIS ALLY, by WILLIAM ROSE BENET Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: He fought for his soul, and the stubborn fighting Last Line: Stood up at his side! Variant Title(s): The Last Ally Subject(s): Soul | ||||||||
He fought for his soul, and the stubborn fighting Tried hard his strength. "One needs seven souls for this long requiting," He said at length. "Six times have I come where my first hope jeered me And laughed me to scorn; But now I fear as I never feared me To fall forsworn. "God! when they fight upright and at me I give them back Even such blows as theirs that combat me; But now, alack! "They fight with the wiles of fiends escaping And underhand. Six times, O God, and my wounds are gaping! I -- reel to stand. "Six battles' span! By this gasping breath No pantomime. 'Tis all that I can. I am sick unto death. And -- a seventh time? "This is beyond all battles' soreness!" Then his wonder cried; For Laughter, with shield and steely harness, Stood up at his side! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CRUEL FALCON by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE WHOLE SOUL by PHILIP LEVINE I KNOW MY SOUL by CLAUDE MCKAY HONORING THE SAND; IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH CAMPBELL by ROBERT BLY THE CHINESE PEAKS; FOR DONALD HALL by ROBERT BLY THE LIFE OF TOWNS: TOWN OF THE EXHUMATION by ANNE CARSON THE FALCONER OF GOD by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |
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