Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DEFEAT, by WILLIAM ALEXANDER PERCY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DEFEAT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Though you have struck me to the bloody core
Last Line: Lift up your shadow eyes to mine still wet.
Subject(s): Eyes; Hearts; Tears


Though you have struck me to the bloody core,
It is indeed only one scar the more!
And I'll not turn from you as at the other strokes,
Nor say "Good-bye," as other times I said.
The agony still chokes,
And still it seems most restful to be dead.
But I'll not say "Good-bye" nor turn away,
Nor parting lover play. . . .
Leave you? Take everything save all -- my heart?
I know the scene too well, too well my part!
Hot tears and bitterness; and I would go,
Go for an hour, a day, a week --
Is bitterness so short called pique?
And in the old, old way, without regret
I would return to you;
And in the old, old way you would forget
That ever I had gone, and let
Some casual tenderness
Be my return's caress;
Or in some vague, absorbed distress,
Lift up your shadow eyes to mine still wet.





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