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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


APEROTOS EROS by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: STRONG AS DEATH, AND CRUEL AS THE GRAVE
Last Line: STRONG AS DEATH.
Subject(s): DEATH; LOVE; ROUNDELS; DEAD, THE;

STRONG as death, and cruel as the grave,
Clothed with cloud and tempest's blackening breath,
Known of death's dread self, whom none outbrave,
Strong as death,

Love, brow-bound with anguish for a wreath,
Fierce with pain, a tyrant-hearted slave,
Burns above a world that groans beneath.

Hath not pity power on thee to save,
Love? hath power no pity? Nought he saith,
Answering: blind he walks as wind or wave,
Strong as death.



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