Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET ON TURNER'S PICTURE, OF THE TEMERAIRE MAN-OF-WAR, by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES


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SONNET ON TURNER'S PICTURE, OF THE TEMERAIRE MAN-OF-WAR, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: See how that small concentrate fiery force
Last Line: Home of great thoughts, memorial temeraire!
Alternate Author Name(s): Houghton, 1st Baron; Houghton, Lord
Subject(s): Paintings And Painters; Ships & Shipping; Turner, Joseph Mallord W. (1775-1851)


SEE how that small concentrate fiery force
Is grappling with the glory of the main,
That follows, like some grave heroic corse,
Dragged by a suttler from the heap of slain.
Thy solemn presence brings us more than pain --
Something which Fancy moulds into remorse,
That We, who of thine honour hold the gain,
Should from its dignity thy form divorce.
Yet will we read in thy high-vaunting Name,
How Britain did what France could only dare,
And, while the sunset gilds the darkening air,
We will fill up thy shadowy lines with fame,
And, tomb or temple, hail thee still the same,
Home of great thoughts, memorial Temeraire!





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