'O MONSTROUS, dead, unprofitable world, That thou canst hear, and hearing, hold thy way. A voice oracular hath peal'd to-day, To-day a hero's banner is unfurl'd. Hast thou no lip for welcome?' So I said. Man after man, the world smil'd and pass'd by: A smile of wistful incredulity As though one spake of noise unto the dead: Scornful, and strange, and sorrowful; and full Of bitter knowledge. Yet the Will is free: Strong is the Soul, and wise, and beautiful: The seeds of godlike power are in us still: Gods are we, Bards, Saints, Heroes, if we will.-- Dumb judges, answer, truth or mockery? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LETTER TO MAXINE SULLIVAN by HAYDEN CARRUTH RETURN (1) by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE POET SPEAKS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON VASHTI by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE DINNER-PARTY by AMY LOWELL |