The Last Word

Matthew Arnold

1822 to 1888

Poem Image
Track 1

Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.

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Better men fared thus before thee;
Creep into thy narrow bed,—
They out-talked thee, hissed thee, tore thee?
Thou thyself must break at last.
Find thy body by the wall!
Thou art tired: best be still.
Let them have it how they will!
Vain thy onset! all stands fast.
Hotly charged—and sank at last.
Fired their ringing shot, and passed,
Geese are swans, and swans are geese.
When the forts of folly fall,
Let the long contention cease!
Let the victors, when they come,
Creep, and let no more be said.
Charge once more, then, and be dumb!