Shakespeare
Shakespeare
Original Text
Matthew Arnold, The Strayed Reveller, and Other Poems (London: B. Fellowes, 1849). B-11 2382 Fisher Rare Book Library (Toronto).
1Others abide our question. Thou art free.
2We ask and ask--Thou smilest and art still,
3Out-topping knowledge. For the loftiest hill,
4Who to the stars uncrowns his majesty,
5Planting his steadfast footsteps in the sea,
6Making the heaven of heavens his dwelling-place,
7Spares but the cloudy border of his base
8To the foil'd searching of mortality;
9And thou, who didst the stars and sunbeams know,
10Self-school'd, self-scann'd, self-honour'd, self-secure,
11Didst tread on earth unguess'd at.--Better so!
12All pains the immortal spirit must endure,
13All weakness which impairs, all griefs which bow,
14Find their sole speech in that victorious brow.
Publication Start Year
1849
RPO poem Editors
H. Kerpneck
RPO Edition
3RP 3.201.
Rhyme
Form