Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE KEEPER OF THE SWORD (APPROPOS OF THE DREYFUS TRIAL AT RENNES), by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON Poet's Biography First Line: Hail to that breton law by which a lord Last Line: That undishonored blade for his forgiving hand. Subject(s): Dreyfus, Alfred (1859-1935) | ||||||||
HAIL to that Breton law by which a lord, Fate-hounded, -- he whose sires had sought the Grail, -- Left with the State his sword, as Honor's bail, While on a western isle he won reward Of his brave patience, in a golden hoard; -- Speeding from exile (the wide sea a jail If but the wrong wind filled his yearning sail!) To claim once more his heritage and sword. France, dost thou heed the omen? 'T was at Rennes! -- Where one who loved thee, cruel, -- loved thee, blind, -- Now fronts thee proudly with the old demand. Oh! ... thou hast broke it! ... Haste! the fragments find, And in the forge of Justice weld again That undishonored blade for his forgiving hand. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DREYFUS by FLORENCE EARLE COATES TO DREYFUS VINDICATED by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON TO DREYFUS: FROM THE CRUCIFIX by HARRIET ELEANOR HAMILTON (BAILLE) KING FOR DREYFUS (BEFORE THE 'PARDON') by ANNIE MATHESON AN ENGLISH MOTHER by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON BROWNING AT ASOLO by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON DEWEY AT MANILA [MAY 1, 1898] by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON ILLUSIONS by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON THE WISTFUL DAYS by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON A CHOPIN FANTASY (ON REMEMBRANCE OF A PRELUDE) by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON |
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