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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


NO SURRENDER! (VERSES WRITTEN AT A TIME OF INDUSTRIAL CRISIS) by WILLIAM WATSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: STAND FAST AT LAST, O WEARY NATION
Last Line: THY FATE IN THINE OWN WILL.
Subject(s): CLASS STRUGGLE; ENGLAND; INDUSTRY; ENGLISH;

STAND fast at last, O weary Nation,
'Gainst inward foes that plot thy fall!
Stand firm -- for that way lies salvation,
And no way else at all.

Or yield -- and be yet harder smitten!
Yield -- and then find 'twas worse than vain!
Yield -- and still yield; and in fair Britain
Let some foul Lenin reign.

Nay, yield no more, O weary Nation,
Weary, but proud and mighty still!
In thine own hands is thy salvation,
Thy Fate in thine own will.



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