The Last Defeat

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



Across the field of day
In sudden blazon lay
The pallid bar of gold
Borne on the shield of day.
Night had endured so long,
And now the Day grew strong
With lance of light to hold
The Night at bay.

So on my life's dull night
The splendour of your light
Traversed the dusky shield
And shone forth golden bright.
Your colours I have worn
Through all the fight forlorn,
And these, with life, I yield,
To-night, to Night.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

24 sec read
90

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABACCBA DDEDFFED
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 409
Words 82
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 8, 8

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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