SHAKESPEARE
by: Matthew Arnold (1822-1888)
- THERS abide
our question. Thou art free,
- We ask and ask: Thou smilest and art still,
- Out-topping knowledge. For the loftiest hill
- That to the stars uncrowns his majesty,
- Planting his steadfast footsteps in the sea,
- Making the heaven of heavens his dwelling-place,
- Spares but the cloudy border of his base
- To the foil'd searching of mortality;
- And thou, who didst the stars and sunbeams know,
- Self-school'd, self-scann'd, self-honour'd, self-secure,
- Didst walk on earth unguess'd at. Better so!
- All pains the immortal spirit must endure,
- All weakness that impairs, all griefs that bow,
- Find their sole voice in that victorious brow.
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POEMS BY MATTHEW ARNOLD |
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