THE LAST WORD°
Reading edition
THE LAST WORD°
Creep into thy narrow bed, Creep, and let no more be said! Vain thy onset! all stands fast. Thou thyself must break at last. 5Let the long contention cease! Geese are swans, and swans are geese. Let them have it how they will! Thou art tired; best be still. They out-talk'd thee, hiss'd thee, tore thee? 10Better men fared thus before thee; Fired their ringing shot and pass'd, Hotly charged—and sank at last. [p.97] Charge once more, then, and be dumb! Let the victors, when they come, 15When the forts of folly fall, Find thy body by the wall!