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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 20. 'SONG IS NOT DEAD' by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913)

First Line: SHELLEY IS DEAD, AND KEATS IS DEAD, - AND WHO
Last Line: SONG IS NOT DEAD, TILL THE LAST WOMAN DIES.
Subject(s): DESIRE;

Shelley is dead, and Keats is dead,—and who
Will take to-day the poet's harp and sing?
Whose voice shall make the mountain-summits ring
Or sound at night beneath the moon-lit blue?—
Great souls are dead. Must English song die too,
Die out and perish,—while our sea-waves bring
Still their same ceaseless chant, and ceaseless spring
Robes the sweet English flower-filled vales anew?

Ah! while one English rose blooms red at morn
Still shall fresh English deathless song be born,
Pure and untrammelled as the English skies:
And while one English woman still is fair,
Music shall sound upon the English air:—
Song is not dead, till the last woman dies.



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