Responsibilities - Closing

William Butler Yeats 1865 (Sandymount) – 1939 (Menton)



While I, that reed-throated whisperer
Who comes at need, although not now as once
A clear articulation in the air,
But inwardly, surmise companions
Beyond the fling of the dull ass's hoof
- Ben Johnson's phrase - and find when June is come
At Kyle-na-no under that ancient roof
A sterner conscience and a friendlier home,
I can forgive even that wrong of wrongs,
Those undreamt accidents that have made me
- Seeing that Fame has perished that long while,
Being but a part of ancient ceremony -
Notorious, till all my priceless things
Are but a post the passing dogs defile.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

31 sec read
100

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABACDEDFGHIHJI
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 568
Words 104
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. more…

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