Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A DIALOGUE: 3. by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: DEATH, IF THOU BE OR BE NOT, AS WAS SAID
Last Line: DEATH, IF THOU BE.
Subject(s): DEATH; ROUNDELS; DEAD, THE;
Death, if thou be or be not, as was said,
Immortal; if thou make us nought, or we
Survive: thy power is made but of our dread,
Death, if thou be.
Thy might is made out of our fear of thee:
Who fears thee not, hath plucked from off thine head
The crown of cloud that darkens earth and sea.
Earth, sea, and sky, as rain or vapour shed,
Shall vanish; all the shows of them shall flee:
Then shall we know full surely, quick or dead,
Death, if thou be.



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