Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DEJECTION by ALFRED DE MUSSET

Poem Explanation

First Line: I HAVE WASTED MY STRENGTH AND MY LIFE
Last Line: SAVE THAT SOME TEARS HAVE DIMMED MY EYES.

I HAVE wasted my strength and my life,
And friends have left, and my heart has died;
I have no longer even the pride
Which gave me fame in a worthless strife.

Yet of old, long since, I thought to tread
In the noble pathway of truth and right;
But when I saw where their footsteps led,
I swerved unequal to the sight.

Now I see too late they must prevail,
And all who quit them can only fail
Of all that's noble, great, and wise.

God calls me, and I have nought to say;
Not a plea on which one hope to stay,
Save that some tears have dimmed my eyes.



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