Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HONOR, by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Say, what is honor? 'tis the finest sense Last Line: Are forfeited; but infamy doth kill. Subject(s): Honor | ||||||||
SAY, what is Honour? -- 'Tis the finest sense Of 'justice' which the human mind can frame, Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim, And guard the way of life from all offence Suffered or done. When lawless violence Invades a Realm, so pressed that in the scale Of perilous war her weightiest armies fail, Honour is hopeful elevation, -- whence Glory, and triumph. Yet with politic skill Endangered States may yield to terms unjust; Stoop their proud heads, but not unto the dust -- A Foe's most favourite purpose to fulfil: Happy occasions oft by self-mistrust Are forfeited; but infamy doth kill. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ASHES; FOR WILLIAM GASS by CAROLYN KIZER INVENTORY by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR A BOOK OF AIRS SONG 18 by THOMAS CAMPION TO LUCASTA, [ON] GOING TO THE WARS by RICHARD LOVELACE IF WE MUST DIE by CLAUDE MCKAY THE PHANTOM REVIEW by SQUIRE OMAR BARKER TO THE HONOURABLE AND VIRTUOUS LADY, THE LADY TASBURGH by WILLIAM BASSE URANIA; THE WOMAN IN THE MOON: DEDICATION TO LADY PENELOPE DYNHAM by WILLIAM BASSE A JEWISH FAMILY; IN A SMALL VALLEY OPPOSITE ST. GOAR by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |
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