TO die—for this into the world you came. Yes, to abandon more than you ever conceived as possible: All ideals, plans—even the very best and most unselfish-all hopes and desires, All formulas of morality, all reputation for virtue or consistency or good sense; all cherished theories, doctrines, systems of knowledge, Modes of life, habits, predilections, preferences, superiorities, weaknesses, indulgences, Good health, wholeness of limb and brain, youth, manhood, age—nay life itself—in one word: To die— For this into the world you came. All to be abandoned, and when they have been finally abandoned, Then to return to be used—and then only to be rightly used, to be free and open for ever. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE TO A NIGHTINGALE by JOHN KEATS ENVOY: 5. TO MY NAME-CHILD by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON ON VENUS ARISING FROM THE SEA by ANTIPATER OF SIDON THE BITER BIT by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN TWELVE SONNETS: 6 by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) AT STRATFORD-ON-AVON by H. T. MACKENZIE BELL |