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THE ANGEL IN THE HOUSE: BOOK 2. CANTO 1. PRELUDE: THE SONG OF SONGS by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE PULSE OF WAR, WHOSE BLOODY HEATS
Last Line: AND LET THE WORLD NO LONGER WAIT!

THE pulse of War, whose bloody heats
Sane purposes insanely work,
Now with fraternal frenzy beats,
And binds the Christian to the Turk,
And shrieking fifes and braggart flags,
Through quiet England, teach our breath
The courage corporate that drags
The coward to heroic death.
Too late for song! Who henceforth sings,
Must fledge his heavenly flight with more
Song-worthy and heroic things
Than hasty, home-destroying war.
While might and right are not agreed,
And battle thus is yet to wage,
So long let laurels be the meed
Of soldier as of poet sage;
But men expect the Tale of Love,
And weary of the Tale of Hate;
Lift me, O Muse, myself above,
And let the world no longer wait!



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