Explore "The Last Word" by Matthew Arnold on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Creep into thy narrow bed, / Creep, and let no more be said!
Vain thy onset! all stands fast; / Thou thyself must break at last.
Let 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.
Better men fared thus before thee; / Fired their ringing shot and pass'd, / Hotly charged -- and broke at last.
Charge once more, then, and be dumb!
Let the victors, when they come, / When the forts of folly fall, / Find thy body by the wall!