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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SPIRIT OF SHAKESPEARE: 2 by GEORGE MEREDITH

Poet Analysis

First Line: HOW SMILES HE AT A GENERATION RANKED
Last Line: THUNDERS OF LAUGHTER, CLEARING AIR AND HEART.
Subject(s): DRAMATISTS; PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS ; POETRY & POETS; SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM (1564-1616); DRAMATISTS;
How smiles he at a generation ranked
In gloomy noddings over life! They pass.
Not he to feed upon a breast unthanked,
Or eye a beauteous face in a cracked glass.
But he can spy that little twist of brain
Which moved some weighty leader of the blind
Unwitting 'twas the goad of personal pain,
To view in curst eclipse our Mother's mind,
And show us of some rigid harridan
The wretched bondmen till the end of time.
O lived the Master now to paint us Man,
That little twist of brain would ring a chime
Of whence it came and what it caused, to start
Thunders of laughter, clearing air and heart.



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