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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 74 by ALFRED TENNYSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: AS SOMETIMES IN A DEAD MAN'S FACE
Last Line: HIS DARKNESS BEAUTIFUL WITH THEE.
Subject(s): IMMORTALITY;

As sometimes in a dead man's face,
To those that watch it more and more,
A likeness, hardly seen before,
Comes out -- to some one of his race;

So, dearest, now thy brows are cold,
I see thee what thou art, and know
Thy likeness to the wise below,
Thy kindred with the great of old.

But there is more than I can see,
And what I see I leave unsaid,
Nor speak it, knowing Death has made
His darkness beautiful with thee.



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