Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CRY OF THE HOMELESS, by THOMAS HARDY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Instigator of the ruin Last Line: Till death dark thee with his pall.' Subject(s): Homeless; World War I; First World War | ||||||||
(After the Prussian Invasion of Belgium) 'INSTIGATOR of the ruin - Whichsoever thou mayst be Of the masterful of Europe That contrived our misery - Hear the wormwood-worded greeting From each city, shore, and lea Of thy victims: "Conqueror, all hail to thee!" 'Yea: "All hail!" we grimly shout thee That wast author, fount, and head Of these wounds, whoever proven When our times are throughly read. "May thy loved be slighted, blighted, And forsaken," be it said By thy victims, "And thy children beg their bread!" 'Nay: a richer malediction! - Rather let this thing befall In time's hurling and unfurling On the night when comes thy call; That compassion dew thy pillow And bedrench thy senses all For thy victims, Till death dark thee with his pall.' | 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 AND THERE WAS A GREAT CALM' by THOMAS HARDY |
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