Read "The World's Triumphs" by Matthew Arnold online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
So far as I conceive the World's rebuke / To him address'd who would recast her new, / Not from herself her fame of strength she took, / But from their weakness, who would work her rue.
"Behold," she cries, "so many rages lull'd, / So many fiery spirits quite cool'd down: / Look how so many valours, long undull'd, / After short commerce with me, fear my frown.
Thou too, when thou against my crimes wouldst cry, / Let thy foreboded homage check thy tongue. " --
The World speaks well: yet might her foe reply --
"Are wills so weak? then let not mine wait long.
Hast thou so rare a poison? let me be / Keener to slay thee, lest thou poison me. "