Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WORMS' CONTEMPT by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHAT DO WE EARN FOR ALL OUR GENTLE GRACE?
Last Line: THE WORMS' CONTEMPT, THAT HAVE NO TIME FOR PREACHING.
Subject(s): DEATH; WORMS; DEAD, THE;
What do we earn for all our gentle grace?
A body stiff and cold from foot to face.

If you have beauty, what is beauty worth?
A mask to hide it, made of common earth.

What do we get for all our song and prattle?
A gasp for longer breath, and then a rattle.

What do we earn for dreams, and our high teaching?
The worms' contempt, that have no time for preaching.



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