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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DECAY OF A PEOPLE, by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This is the true sign of ruin to a race Last Line: If that we waste, in vain walled town and loft tower! | |||
THIS the true sign of ruin to a race -- It undertakes no march, and day by day Drowses in camp, or, with the laggard's pace, Walks sentry o'er possessions that decay; Destined, with sensible waste, to fleet away; -- For the first secret of continued power Is the continued conquest; -- all our sway Hath surety in the uses of the hour; If that we waste, in vain walled town and loft tower! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LOST PLEIAD by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS THE SHADED WATER by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS THE SWAMP FOX by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS MOTHER AND CHILD by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS SONG IN MARCH by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS THE BATTLE OF EUTAW [SPRINGS] by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS SWEET SOUTH by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS ODE: OUR CITY BY THE SEA by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS CONTRA MORTEM: THE THAW by HAYDEN CARRUTH |
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