Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PAN, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PAN, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: O what are heroes, prophets, men
Last Line: Races & planets its enchanted foam.
Subject(s): Mythology - Classical; Pan (mythology)


O what are heroes prophets men
But pipes through which the breath of Pan doth blow
A momentary music. Being's tide
Swells hitherward & myriads of forms
Live, robed with beauty, painted by the Sun:
Their dust pervaded by the nerves of God
Throbs with an overmastering energy
Knowing & doing. Ebbs the tide, they lie
White hollow shells upon the desart shore.
But not the less the eternal wave rolls on
To animate new millions, & exhale
Races & planets its enchanted foam.





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