The Tables of the Law

The Tables of the Law by W.B. Yeats

The Tables of the Law is a collection of poems by W.B. Yeats, published in 1921. The poems explore the themes of religion, morality, and the human condition. The collection is divided into two parts: the first part is a series of poems about the Ten Commandments, and the second part is a series of poems about the seven deadly sins. The poems in the first part of the collection are written in a variety of styles, from traditional ballads to modernist free verse. The poems explore the moral implications of the Ten Commandments, and how they relate to the human experience. The second part of the collection is more abstract, and explores the seven deadly sins in a more philosophical manner. The collection is a powerful exploration of morality and the human condition, and is considered to be one of Yeats’s most important works. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the works of W.B. Yeats, or in the exploration of morality and the human condition.

By W.B. Yeats · First published 1897 · Genre: Poetry, Drama, Romanticism · 2 chapters · 5,345 words

First lines

'Will you permit me, Aherne,' I said, 'to ask you a question, which I have wanted to ask you for years, and have not asked because we have grown nearly strangers? Why did you refuse the berretta, and almost at the last moment? When you and I lived together, you cared neither for wine, women, nor money, and had thoughts for nothing but theology and mysticism.' I had watched through dinner for a moment to put my question, and ventured now, because he had thrown off a little of the reserve and indifference which, ever since his last return from Italy, had taken the place of our once close friendship. He had just questioned me, too, about certain private and almost sacred things, and my frankness had earned, I thought, a like frankness from him.

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The Tables of the Law is listed on Textopian as a poem by W.B. Yeats, dated 1897 CE.

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Fiction · Loneliness · Mysticism · Religion · Spiritual life · aherne · among · book · called · come · could · even

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