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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 54 by ALFRED TENNYSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: OH YET WE TRUST THAT SOMEHOW GOOD
Last Line: AND WITH NO LANGUAGE BUT A CRY.
Subject(s): FAITH; HOPE; RELIGION; WORSHIP; BELIEF; CREED; OPTIMISM; THEOLOGY;

O YET we trust that somehow good
Will be the final goal of ill,
To pangs of nature, sins of will,
Defects of doubt, and taints of blood;

That nothing walks with aimless feet;
That not one life shall be destroyed,
Or cast as rubbish to the void,
When God hath made the pile complete;

That not a worm is cloven in vain;
That not a moth with vain desire
Is shrivelled in a fruitless fire,
Or but subserves another's gain.

Behold, we know not anything;
I can but trust that good shall fall
At last -- far off -- at last, to all,
And every winter change to spring.

So runs my dream: but what am I?
An infant crying in the night:
An infant crying for the light:
And with no language but a cry.



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