Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 90. 'RETRO ME, SATHANA!', by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Get thee behind me. Even as, heavy-curled
Last Line: For certain years, for certain months and days.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rossetti, Gabriel Charles Dante
Subject(s): Bible; Religion; Theology


GET thee behind me. Even as, heavy-curled,
Stooping against the wind, a charioteer
Is snatched from out his chariot by the hair,
So shall Time be; and as the void car, hurled
Abroad by reinless steeds, even so the world:
Yea, even as chariot-dust upon the air,
It shall be sought and not found anywhere.
Get thee behind me, Satan. Oft unfurled,
Thy perilous wings can beat and break like lath
Much mightiness of men to win thee praise.
Leave these weak feet to tread in narrow ways.
Thou still, upon the broad vine-sheltered path,
Mayst wait the turning of the phials of wrath
For certain years, for certain months and days.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net