Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE ROMAN ROAD by THOMAS HARDY

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE ROMAN ROAD RUNS STRAIGHT AND BARE
Last Line: THE ROMAN ROAD.
Subject(s): ROADS; PATHS; TRAILS;

THE Roman Road runs straight and bare
As the pale parting-line in hair
Across the heath. And thoughtful men
Contrast its days of Now and Then,
And delve, and measure, and compare;

Visioning on the vacant air
Helmed legionaries, who proudly rear
The Eagle, as they pace again
The Roman Road.

But no tall brass-helmed legionnaire
Haunts it for me. Uprises there
A mother's form upon my ken,
Guiding my infant steps, as when
We walked that ancient thoroughfare,
The Roman Road.



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