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