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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE WORLD'S ADVANCE by GEORGE MEREDITH

Poet Analysis

First Line: JUDGE MILDLY THE TASKED WORLD; AND DISINCLINE
Last Line: ERE REASON RIPENS FOR THE VACANT PLACE.
Subject(s): EARTH; PROGRESS; WORLD;

JUDGE mildly the tasked world; and disincline
To brand it, for it bears a heavy pack.
You have perchance observed the inebriate's track
At night when he has quitted the inn-sign:
He plays diversions on the homeward line,
Still that way bent albeit his legs are slack:
A hedge may take him, but he turns not back,
Nor turns this burdened world, of curving spine.
'Spiral,' the memorable Lady terms
Our mind's ascent: our world's advance presents
That figure on a flat; the way of worms.
Cherish the promise of its good intents,
And warn it, not one instinct to efface
Ere Reason ripens for the vacant place.



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