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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO ANTIQUITY by ALICE MEYNELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: O OUR YOUNG ANCESTOR
Last Line: PUT YOU TO BED?
Subject(s): ANTIQUITIES;

"... REVERENCE FOR OUR FATHERS, WITH THEIR STORES OF EXPERIENCES"
@3An author whose name I did not note@1

O OUR young ancestor,
Our boy in Letters, how we trudge oppressed
With our "experiences," and you of yore
Flew light, and blessed!

Youngling, in your new town,
Tight, like a box of toys -- the town that is
Our shattered, open ruin, with its crown
Of histories;

You with your morning words,
Fresh from the night, your yet un-sonneted moon,
Your passion undismayed, cool as a bird's
Lgnorant tune;

O youngling! how is this?
Your poems are not wearied yet, not dead,
Must I bow low? or, with an envious kiss,
Put you to bed?



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