Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TEST OF THE BARDS, by WILLIAM WATSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TEST OF THE BARDS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Friend, wouldst thou put thy poets to the proof
Last Line: Which they with toil and battle and wounds did earn.
Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


FRIEND, wouldst thou put thy poets to the proof,
Read them where rolls the moorland, or the main!
Not light will be their ordeal, thus to stand
Pitted against the huge things of the earth,
And tested hard, by the all-searching sky.
Then, if indeed they bear their trial unshamed,
Grudge not the glory, the often bitter glory,
The coveted uncovetable crown,
Which they with toil and battle and wounds did earn.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net