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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
1914-1918: THE DEAD SPEAK, by JOHN DRINKWATER Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In the earth, in the seas, we remember Last Line: That we may not forgive? Subject(s): World War I; First World War | |||
IN the earth, in the seas, we remember; We dead, we are awake; But bitterness we know not Who died for beauty's sake; We have no need of honour, No quarrel we recall, The lies, the little angers -- We have forgiven all. In the earth, in the seas, we remember; We dead, a myriad name; But not among our legions Is any word of blame; We gave, and there an ending Of covenants gone by, We ask no funeral splendour Who were content to die. In the earth, in the seas, we remember; We dead, your length of days; But still the stealth of darkness Makes one of all delays -- A year, or ten, or twenty, How little then the cost -- Fear not, we have forgiven The little years we lost. In the earth, in the seas, we remember: We dead, your daily debt; The old heartbreak is over, But we remember yet -- Is earth a sweeter temple Because we let you live? Or do you still betray us, That we may not forgive? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |
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