Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TRIBUTE: 4, by HILDA DOOLITTLE


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THE TRIBUTE: 4, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: They have sent the old gods from the city
Last Line: Beside one young life that is lost.
Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs.
Subject(s): Bible; Poverty; Social Protest


They have sent the old gods from the city:
on the temple step,
the people gather to cry for revenge,
to chant their hymns and to praise
the god of the lance.

They have banished the gods
and the half-gods
from the city streets,
they have turned from the god
of the cross roads,
the god of the hearth,
the god of the sunken well
and the fountain source,
they have chosen one,
to him only
they offer paean and chant.

Though but one god is left in the city,
shall we turn to his treacherous feet,
though but one god is left in the city,
can he lure us
with his clamour and shout,
can he snare our hearts in his net,
can he blind us
with the light of his lance?

Could he snare our spirit and flesh,
he would cast it in irons to lie
and rot in the sodden grass,
and we know his glamour is dross,
we know him in a blackened light,
and his beauty withered and spent
beside one young life that is lost.





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