WHO can be dull or wrapped in unconcern Knowing a world so clamorous and keen; A world of ardent conflict, honest spleen, And healthy, hot desires too swift to turn; Vivid and vulgar—with no heart to learn... See how that drudge, a thing unkempt, unclean, Laughs with the royal laughter of a queen. Even in her the eager fires burn. Who can be listless in these stirring hours When, with athletic courage, we engage To storm, with fierce abandon, sterner powers And meet indifference with a joyful rage; Thrilled with a purpose and the dream that towers Out of this arrogant and blundering age. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MOTHERHOOD by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON MR. HOUSMAN'S MESSAGE by EZRA POUND A PASSER-BY by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES BILLY IN THE DARBIES, FR. BILLY BUDD by HERMAN MELVILLE NOVEMBER BLUE by ALICE MEYNELL SONNET TO MASTER GABRIELL HARVEY, DOCTOR OF LAWES by EDMUND SPENSER |