Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DECAY OF A PEOPLE by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS

Poet Analysis

First Line: THIS IS THE TRUE SIGN OF RUIN TO A RACE
Last Line: IF THAT WE WASTE, IN VAIN WALLED TOWN AND LOFT TOWER!
THIS the true sign of ruin to a race --
It undertakes no march, and day by day
Drowses in camp, or, with the laggard's pace,
Walks sentry o'er possessions that decay;
Destined, with sensible waste, to fleet away; --
For the first secret of continued power
Is the continued conquest; -- all our sway
Hath surety in the uses of the hour;
If that we waste, in vain walled town and loft tower!



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