C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
The Last Word
By Matthew Arnold (18221888)
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 passed,
Hotly charged—and sank at last.
Let the victors, when they come,
When the forts of folly fall,
Find thy body by the wall!