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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BLACK RIDERS: 25 by STEPHEN CRANE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: BEHOLD, THE GRAVE OF A WICKED MAN
Last Line: WHY DID THE MAID WEEP?
BEHOLD, the grave of a wicked man,
And near it, a stern spirit.

There came a drooping maid with violets,
But the spirit grasped her arm.
"No flowers for him," he said.
The maid wept:
"Ah, I loved him."
But the spirit, grim and frowning:
"No flowers for him."

Now, this is it --
If the spirit was just,
Why did the maid weep?



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