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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE RETURN by EZRA POUND

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: SEE, THEY RETURN; AH, SEE THE TENTATIVE
Last Line: PALLID THE LEASH-MEN!
Subject(s): REALITY;

See, they return; ah, see the tentative
Movements, and the slow feet.
The trouble in the pace and the uncertain
Wavering!

See, they return, one, and by one,
With fear, as half-awakened;
As if the snow should hesitate
And murmur in the wind,
and half turn back;
These were the "Wing'd-with-Awe,"
Inviolable.

Gods of the winged shoe!
With them the silver hounds,
sniffing the trace of air!

Haie! Haie!
These were the swift to harry;
These the keen-scented;
These were the souls of blood.

Slow on the leash,
pallid the leash-men!



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