Analysis of The Last Betrayal

Edith Nesbit 1858 (Kennington, Surrey ) – 1924 (New Romney, Kent)



AND I shall lie alone at last,
Clear of the stream that ran so fast,
And feel the flower roots in my hair,
And in my hands the roots of trees;
Myself wrapt in the ungrudging peace
That leaves no pain uncovered anywhere.

What--this hope left? this way not barred?
This last best treasure without guard?
This heaven free--no prayers to pay?
Fool--are the Rulers of men asleep?
Thou knowest what tears They bade thee weep,
But, when peace comes, 'tis thou wilt sleep, not They.


Scheme AABXXB CCDEED
Poetic Form
Metre 01110111 11011111 010101011 00110111 110011 111101010 11111111 11110011 11011111 110101101 11111111 1111111111
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 471
Words 88
Sentences 8
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 6, 6
Lines Amount 12
Letters per line (avg) 31
Words per line (avg) 7
Letters per stanza (avg) 184
Words per stanza (avg) 43
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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

26 sec read
59

Edith Nesbit

Edith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland) was an English author and poet; she published her books for children under the name of E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on more than 60 books of children's literature. She was also a political activist and co-founded the Fabian Society, a socialist organisation later affiliated to the Labour Party. more…

All Edith Nesbit poems | Edith Nesbit Books

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