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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE PASSING OF KING GEORGE V by JOHN MASEFIELD

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN TIME HAS SIFTED MOTIVES, PASSIONS, DEEDS
Last Line: AND VENTURED TO A NOBLER MARCHING WORD.
Subject(s): DEATH; EPITAPHS; GEORGE V, KING OF ENGLAND (1865-1936); MEMORY; PRAYER; REST; DEAD, THE;
When time has sifted motives, passions, deeds
Now complex to results and made appear
The unexpected fruits of scattered seeds,
And scattered dust in the expected ear,
Then watchers of the life of man will know
How spirits quickened in this ended reign,
Till what was centuries stagnant 'gan to flow
And what was centuries fettered moved again;
How with this Ruler entered into rest
The country's very self from slumber stirred,
Took charity as guide and hope as guest,
And ventured to a nobler marching word.



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