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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


WHEN I PERUSE THE CONQUER'D FAME by WALT WHITMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN I PERUSE THE CONQUER'D FAME OF HEROES AND THE VICTORIES OF MIGHTY GENERALS
Last Line: BITTEREST ENVY.
Subject(s): ENVY; LOVE;

When I peruse the conquer'd fame of heroes and the
victories of mighty generals, I do not envy the generals,
Nor the President in his Presidency, nor the rich in his great house,
But when I hear of the brotherhood of lovers, how it was with them,
How together through life, through dangers, odium,
unchanging, long and long,
Through youth and through middle and old age, how
unfaltering, how affectionate and faithful they were,
Then I am pensive -- I hastily walk away fill'd with the
bitterest envy.



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