Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SIMPLON PASS, by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Ambition, following down this far-famed slope Last Line: What groans! What shrieks! What quietness in death! Subject(s): Simplon (mountain), Switzerland; Soldiers | ||||||||
THE COLUMN INTENDED BY BUONAPARTE FOR A TRIUMPHAL EDIFICE IN MILAN, NOW LYING BY THE WAYSIDE IN THE SIMPLON PASS AMBITION, following down this far-famed slope Her pioneer, the snow-dissolving sun, While clarions prate of kingdoms to be won, Perchance, in future ages, here may stop; Taught to mistrust her flattering horoscope By admonition from this prostrate stone! Memento uninscribed of pride o'erthrown; Vanity's hieroglyphic; a choice trope In Fortune's rhetoric. Daughter of the rock, Rest where thy course was stayed by Power Divine! The soul transported sees, from hint of thine, Crimes which the great Avenger's hand provoke, Hears combats whistling o'er the ensanguined heath: What groans! what shrieks! what quietness in death! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALL ARMIES ARE THE SAME by ERNEST HEMINGWAY ABSENT WITH OFFICIAL LEAVE by RANDALL JARRELL PORT OF EMBARKATION by RANDALL JARRELL THE CONFESSION OF ST. JIM-RALPH by DENIS JOHNSON OPERATION MEMORY by DAVID LEHMAN A JEWISH FAMILY; IN A SMALL VALLEY OPPOSITE ST. GOAR by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |
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