 | The Poems of Algernon Charles Swinburne |  |
58
FOR A PORTRAIT OF FELICE ORSINI
Steadfast as sorrow, fiery sad, and sweetWith underthoughts of love and faith, more strong
Than doubt and hate and all ill thoughts which throng,
Haply, round hope's or fear's world-wandering feet
That find no rest from wandering till they meet
Death, bearing palms in hand and crowns of song;
His face, who thought to vanquish wrong with wrong,
Erring, and make rage and redemption greet,
Havoc and freedom; weaving in one weft
Good with his right hand, evil with his left;
But all a hero lived and erred and died;
Looked thus upon the living world he left
So bravely that with pity less than pride
Men hail him Patriot and Tyrannicide.
| The Poems of Algernon Charles Swinburne | |