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HEROISM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ruby wine is drunk by knaves
Last Line: And head-winds right for royal sails.
Variant Title(s): The Hero
Subject(s): Heroism; Heroes; Heroines


Ruby wine is drunk by knaves,
Sugar spends to fatten slaves,
Rose and vine-leaf deck buffoons;
Thunder-clouds are Jove's festoons,
Drooping oft in wreaths of dread,
Lightning-knotted round his head;
The hero is not fed on sweets,
Daily his own heart he eats;
Chambers of the great are jails,
And head-winds right for royal sails.





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