Nature

Heroism

by Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803–1882

Nature

Ruby wine is drunk by knaves,
Sugar spends to fatten slaves,
Rose and vine-leaf deck buffoons;
Thunder-clouds are Jove's festoons,
Drooping oft in wreaths of dread,
Lightning-knotted round his head;
The hero is not fed on sweets,
Daily his own heart he eats;
Chambers of the great are jails,
And head-winds right for royal sails.

MLA

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Heroism.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/emerson/96/.

Chicago

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Heroism.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/emerson/96/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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