Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE VANQUISHED KNIGHT by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: I HAVE LEFT ALL UPON THE SHAMEFUL FIELD
Last Line: O KEEP THE PROMISE, LORD, AND TAKE THE LIFE.
Subject(s): DISHONOR; HONOR; WAR;
I HAVE left all upon the shameful field,
Honour and Hope, my God, and all but life;
Spurless, with sword reversed and dinted shield,
Degraded and disgraced, I leave the strife.

From him that hath not, shall there not be taken
E'en that he hath, when he deserts the strife?
Life left by all life's benefits forsaken,
O keep the promise, Lord, and take the life.




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