Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DAVID AND GOLIATH, by THOMAS STURGE MOORE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DAVID AND GOLIATH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: With half his arm in running water
Last Line: Hath trustier armour on.
Alternate Author Name(s): Moore, T. Sturge
Subject(s): David (d. 962 B.c.); Goliath


WITH half his arm in running water
David groped for rounded pebbles;
Kneeling by the brook, he sought there
Till he found five that were good:
O that I had been by then,
When at last he upright stood,
Choicest of the sons of men!
While round his feet in rippling trebles
Water crooned across the pebbles.

He was young and fair to see
In his shepherd's dress;
His spirit and his limbs felt free,
Quit then of their late distress
When he, caged in king Saul's casque and gaunt war suit,
Had said, "I cannot go in these,
Since their use I have not tested," would not do it
Even a king to please.

He left that clear and purling water;
Only one of his five stones
Did he use, yet mighty slaughter
On the Philistines ensued:
O that I had heard the shout,
When that stone had been proved good,
Done its work beyond a doubt!
While ended felled Goliath's groans,
And no need for further stones.

It is always good to be
Where long-sighed-for things
Are done with that felicity
Every hero with him brings,
When he must be up and doing, steps forth lightly,
Nor needs fear's casque and mail to don;
Sure, he who acteth simply, bravely, rightly,
Hath trustier armour on.





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