Matthew Arnold (1822–88). The Poems of Matthew Arnold, 1840–1867. 1909.
New Poems, 1867The Last Word
[First published 1867.]
C
Creep, and let no more be said!
Vain thy onset! all stands fast;
Thou thyself must break at last.
Geese are swans, and swans are geese.
Let them have it how they will!
Thou art tired; best be still!
Better men fared thus before thee;
Fired their ringing shot and pass’d,
Hotly charged—and broke at last.
Let the victors, when they come,
When the forts of folly fall,
Find thy body by the wall.