Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONNET: 8, by GEORGE SANTAYANA Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O martyred spirit of this helpless whole Last Line: The burning of thine altar for my hymn. | ||||||||
O martyred Spirit of this helpless Whole, Who dost by pain for tyranny atone, And in the star, the atom, and the stone, Purgest the primal guilt, and in the soul; Rich but in grief, thou dost thy wealth unroll, And givest of thy substance to thine own, Mingling the love, the laughter, and the groan In the large hollow of the heaven's bowl. Fill full my cup, the dregs and honeyed brim I take from thy just hand, more worthy love For sweetening not the draught for me or him. What in myself I am, that let me prove; Relent not for my feeble prayer, nor dim The burning of thine altar for my hymn. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ASPIRATIONS OF A COUNTRY LAD by GEORGE SANTAYANA AT THE CHURCH DOOR by GEORGE SANTAYANA BEFORE A STATUE OF ACHILLES by GEORGE SANTAYANA CLASS SONG (WHICH WILL BE SUNG ON THE 22ND OF FEBRUARY) by GEORGE SANTAYANA COLLEGE DRINKING SONG by GEORGE SANTAYANA DEDICATION OF THE FIRST SONNETS TO A FRIEND ... by GEORGE SANTAYANA DEDICATION TO THE LATER SONNETS TO URANIA by GEORGE SANTAYANA |
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