Classic and Contemporary Poetry
I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT', by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Who art thou that comest with a stedfast face Last Line: And I did not tremble, happy in his love Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina Subject(s): God; Blood; Courage; Fights | ||||||||
'Who art thou that comest with a steadfast face Through the hushed arena to the burying-place?' 'I am one whose footprints marked upon the sand Cry in blood for vengeance on a guilty land.' 'How are these thy garments white as whitest snow Though thy blood hath touched them in its overflow?' 'My blood cannot stain them, nor my tears make white; One than I more mighty, He hath made them bright.' 'Say, do thy wounds pain thee open every one, Wounds that now are glowing clearer than the sun?' 'Nay, they are my gladness unalloyed by grief; Like a desert -fountain, or a long relief. 'When the lion had thee in his deadly clasp, Was there then no terror in thy stifled gasp?' 'Though I felt the crushing, and the grinding teeth. He was with me ever, He who comforteth.' 'Didst thou hear the shouting, as of a great flood, Crying out for vengeance, crying out for blood?' 'I heard it in silence, and was not afraid, While for the mad people silently I prayed.' 'Did their hate not move thee? art thou heedless then Of the fear of children and the curse of men?' 'God looked down upon me from the heaven above, And I did not tremble, happy in His love.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE COLOR SERGEANT by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE TEMPTRESS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE YOUNG WARRIOR by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON WOMEN THEY COULD KILL FOR by PETER JOHNSON ANSELM KIEFER by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER THE BOYS, THE BROOM HANDLE, AND THE RETARDED GIRL by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER BATTLE-CRIES by LOUIS UNTERMEYER ROAST LEVIATHAN by LOUIS UNTERMEYER IT IS FINISHED' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI ITALIA, IO TI SALUTO!' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE HEART KNOWETH ITS OWN BITTERNESS' (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |
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