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Shape your heart to front the hour, but dream not that the hour will last.

4 Edward III (1312-1377), a contemporary of Timur. "Here" Europe, as distinguished from Asia.

Chaucer, Wyclif, Langland, etc.

Probably the cruelties committed in the Peasant Revolt in France, as Tennyson refers to this later (p. 606, l. 157, and n.), or possibly those practised by the Black Prince in the French War. Horrible deeds are recorded by Froissart in his account of the Jaquerie, e. g. Chron., Chap. CLXXXII and CLXXXIV.

71. e. the French populace. Demos is the Greek word for the masses, the common people. The reference is to the French Revolution and the "Gospel," then preached, of "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.'

An allusion to recent disturbances in Ireland.

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You that woo the Voices-tell them "old experience is a fool,"

Teach your flatter'd kings that only those who cannot read can rule.

i. e. of those who work in the fields, or the laboring classes.

10 Hustings, the platform from which a political orator addresses the people at a Parliamentary election.

Pluck the mighty from their seat, but set no meek ones in their place;11 Pillory Wisdom in your markets, pelt your offal at her face.

Tumble Nature heel o'er head, and, yelling with the yelling street,

135 Set the feet above the brain and swear the brain is in the feet.

Bring the old dark ages back without the faith, without the hope,

Break the State, the Church, the Throne, and roll their ruins down the slope.

Authors essayist, atheist, novelist, realist, rhymester, play your part,

Paint the mortal shame of nature with the living hues of art.

140

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Follow you the star that lights a desert pathway, yours or mine,

275

Forward, till you see the Highest Human Nature is divine.

Follow Light, and do the Right—for man can half-control his doom

Till you find the deathless Angel seated in the vacant tomb.

Forward, let the stormy moment fly and mingle with the past.

I that loathed have come to love him. Love will conquer at the last. 280

Gone at eighty, mine own age, and I and you will bear the pall;

Then I leave thee lord and master, latest lord of Locksley Hall.

THE THROSTLE

(Included in Demeter and Other Poems, 1889) "Summer is coming, summer is coming.

I know it, I know it, I know it. Light again, leaf again, life again, love again!” Yes, my wild little Poet.

Sing the new year in under the blue.

Last year you sang it as gladly.

"New, new, new, new!" Is it then so new That you should carol so madly?

"Love again, song again, nest again, young again,"

Never a prophet so crazy!

And hardly a daisy as yet, little friend,
See, there is hardly a daisy.

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