by W. H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden (1907 - 1973)

In Memory of W.B. Yeats I
Language: English 
Earth, receive an honoured guest, 
William Yeats is laid to rest. 
Let the Irish vessel lie 
Emptied of its poetry.

In the nightmare of the dark, 
All the dogs of Europe bark, 
And the living nations wait, 
Each sequestered in its hate;

Intellectual disgrace 
Stares from every human face, 
And the seas of pity lie 
Locked and frozen in each eye.

Follow, poet, follow right 
To the bottom of the night, 
With your unconstraining voice 
Still persuade us to rejoice;

With the farming of a verse 
Make a vineyard of the curse, 
Sing of human unsuccess 
In a rapture of distress;

In the deserts of the heart 
Let the healing fountain start,
In the prison of his days 
Teach the free man how to praise.

Earth, receive an honoured guest: 
William Yeats is laid to rest.

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This text was added to the website: 2022-04-24
Line count: 26
Word count: 136