Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE MASTER OF BALLIOL, by ALFRED TENNYSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE MASTER OF BALLIOL, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Dear master in our classic town
Last Line: Stark and dark in his funeral fire.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tennyson, Lord Alfred; Tennyson, 1st Baron; Tennyson Of Aldworth And Farringford, Baron
Subject(s): Oxford University


I

DEAR Master in our classic town,
You, loved by all the younger gown
There at Balliol,
Lay your Plato for one minute down,

II

And read a Grecian tale re-told,
Which, cast in later Grecian mould,
Quintus Calaber
Somewhat lazily handled of old;

III

And on this white midwinter day --
For have the far-off hymns of May,
All her melodies,
All her harmonies echo'd away? --

IV

To-day, before you turn again
To thoughts that lift the soul of men,
Hear my cataract's
Downward thunder in hollow and glen,

V

Till, led by dream and vague desire,
The woman, gliding toward the pyre,
Find her warrior
Stark and dark in his funeral fire.







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