The World and the Quietist

Matthew Arnold * Track #28 On Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold

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Matthew Arnold

The World and the Quietist by Matthew Arnold

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Matthew Arnold

The World and the Quietist Annotated

&nbsp"Why, when the world's great mind
&nbspHath finally inclined,
Why," you say, Critias, "be debating still?
&nbspWhy, with these mournful rhymes
&nbspLearn'd in more languid climes,
&nbspBlame our activity
&nbspWho, with such passionate will,
&nbspAre what we mean to be?"

&nbspCritias, long since, I know
&nbsp(For Fate decreed it so),
Long since the world hath set its heart to live;
&nbspLong since, with credulous zeal
&nbsp       &nbspIt turns life's mighty wheel,
&nbspStill doth for labourers send
&nbsp       &nbspWho still their labour give,
&nbspAnd still expects an end.

&nbspYet, as the wheel flies round,
&nbspWith no ungrateful sound
Do adverse voices fall on the world's ear.
&nbspDeafen'd by his own stir
&nbspThe rugged labourer
&nbspCaught not till then a sense
&nbspSo glowing and so near
&nbsp       &nbspOf his omnipotence.

&nbspSo, when the feast grew loud
&nbspIn Susa's palace proud,
A white-robed slave stole to the Great King's side.
&nbspHe spake—the Great King heard;
&nbspFelt the slow-rolling word
&nbspSwell his attentive soul;
&nbspBreathed deeply as it died,
&nbsp       &nbspAnd drain'd his mighty bowl.

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