Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 82 by ALFRED TENNYSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: I WAGE NOT ANY FEUD WITH DEATH
Last Line: WE CANNOT HEAR EACH OTHER SPEAK.
Subject(s): SOCIAL PROTEST;
I wage not any feud with Death
For changes wrought on form and face;
No lower life that earth's embrace
May breed with him can fright my faith.

Eternal process moving on,
From state to state the spirit walks;
And these are but the shatter'd stalks,
Or ruin'd chrysalis of one.

Nor blame I Death, because he bare
The use of virtue out of earth;
I know transplanted human worth
Will bloom to profit, otherwhere.

For this alone on Death I wreak
The wrath that garners in my heart:
He put our lives so far apart
We cannot hear each other speak.



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