Explore "Revolutions" by Matthew Arnold on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Before Man parted for this earthly strand, / While yet upon the verge of heaven he stood, / God put a heap of letters in his hand, / And bade him make with them what word he could.
And Man has turn'd them many times: made Greece, / Rome, England, France: -- yes, nor in vain essay'd / Way after way, changes that never cease.
The letters have combin'd: something was made.
But ah, an inextinguishable sense / Haunts him that he has not made what he should.
That he has still, though old, to recommence, / Since he has not yet found the word God would.
And Empire after Empire, at their height / Of sway, have felt this boding sense come on.
Have felt their huge frames not constructed right, / And droop'd, and slowly died upon their throne.
One day, thou say'st, there will at last appear / The word, the order, which God meant should be.
--
Ah, we shall know that well when it comes near: / The band will quit Man's heart: -- he will breathe free.