Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO A TRIUMPHER, by JOSE-MARIA DE HEREDIA (1842-1905)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO A TRIUMPHER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Chisel upon thine arch, great king, a knot
Last Line: And mar his blade upon thy glory humbled.
Subject(s): Honor; Time


CHISEL upon thine arch, great king, a knot
Of captive slaves and many an agéd chief,
With armour and the trophied spears in sheaf,
Despoiléd ships, and festal altars hot.

Whether thou be high-born or churl-begot,
Thy lineage, honours, titles, long or brief,
Engrave them on thy frieze or bas-relief,
Lest in the time to come men know thee not.

Time's fatal weapon shakes. Wouldst thou hand down
The rumour of unconquerable renown?
A weed shall rend the trophies of thy might;
When all thy tale of marble pomp lies tumbled
Some mower on grass-smothered stone shall smite
And mar his blade upon thy glory humbled.





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