Will it be so again? – Cecil Day Lewis
Will it be so again
That the brave, the gifted are lost from view,
And the empty, scheming men
Are left in peace their lunatic age to renew?
Will it be so again?
Must it be always so
That the best are chosen to fall and sleep
Like seeds, and we too slow
In claiming the earth they quicken, and the old usurpers reap
What they could not sow?
Will it be so again
The jungle code and the hypocrite gesture?
A poppy wreath for the slain
And a cut-throat world for the living? that stale imposture
Played on us once again?
Will it be as before
Peace, with no heart or mind to ensure it,
Guttering down to war
Like a libertine to his grave?
We should not be surprised: we knew it
Happen before.
, - The title suggests fear of history repeating itself, with its open
Will it beso again? question warning that humanity may fall into the same cycles
of war and injustice. The opening line sets a reflective, almost
- rhetorical tone. The phrase "Will it be so again?" evokes a
- sense of cyclical history, suggesting a recurring pattern of
events. The repetition of the question serves to emphasize the
- uncertainty and disillusionment with past outcomes. It implies
that history might repeat itself, with no real progress. The line
hints at a frustration with the status quo, symbolizing a
Will it be so again
- questioning of fate and destiny, and is left open-ended,
demanding the reader to reflect on the possibility of future
repetition.
- This line mourns the disappearance or obscurity of individuals
who possess courage and talent.
- The phrase "lost from view" suggests these individuals are
overlooked or ignored in society.
The "brave" and "gifted" are metaphors for those who could
That the brave, the gifted -
potentially lead or inspire, but instead are marginalized or
are lost from view,
forgotten.
- The line uses personification through "lost" to portray how these
qualities are disregarded or erased, highlighting societal neglect
of potential leaders.
- The tone is lamenting, revealing the disparity between potential
and reality in society.
- Here, "empty" functions as a metaphor for men who lack
substance, integrity, or purpose.
- "Scheming" suggests cunning or deceptive behavior, implying
that these individuals manipulate situations for personal gain.
- The phrase conveys a stark contrast between those who possess
genuine qualities and those who operate with selfish intentions.
And the empty, scheming
- The line uses anaphora with the conjunction "and" to connect it
men
to the previous line, amplifying the portrayal of these men as
the opposite of the "brave" and "gifted."
- It critiques societal values, emphasizing the glorification of the
wrong individuals.
- This line questions whether these deceitful men are allowed to
continue their actions unchallenged.
- "Left in peace" suggests that they are allowed to prosper
Are left inpeace their
without opposition.
lunatic age to renew?
Will it be so again
That the brave, the gifted are lost from view,
And the empty, scheming men
Are left in peace their lunatic age to renew?
Will it be so again?
Must it be always so
That the best are chosen to fall and sleep
Like seeds, and we too slow
In claiming the earth they quicken, and the old usurpers reap
What they could not sow?
Will it be so again
The jungle code and the hypocrite gesture?
A poppy wreath for the slain
And a cut-throat world for the living? that stale imposture
Played on us once again?
Will it be as before
Peace, with no heart or mind to ensure it,
Guttering down to war
Like a libertine to his grave?
We should not be surprised: we knew it
Happen before.
, - The title suggests fear of history repeating itself, with its open
Will it beso again? question warning that humanity may fall into the same cycles
of war and injustice. The opening line sets a reflective, almost
- rhetorical tone. The phrase "Will it be so again?" evokes a
- sense of cyclical history, suggesting a recurring pattern of
events. The repetition of the question serves to emphasize the
- uncertainty and disillusionment with past outcomes. It implies
that history might repeat itself, with no real progress. The line
hints at a frustration with the status quo, symbolizing a
Will it be so again
- questioning of fate and destiny, and is left open-ended,
demanding the reader to reflect on the possibility of future
repetition.
- This line mourns the disappearance or obscurity of individuals
who possess courage and talent.
- The phrase "lost from view" suggests these individuals are
overlooked or ignored in society.
The "brave" and "gifted" are metaphors for those who could
That the brave, the gifted -
potentially lead or inspire, but instead are marginalized or
are lost from view,
forgotten.
- The line uses personification through "lost" to portray how these
qualities are disregarded or erased, highlighting societal neglect
of potential leaders.
- The tone is lamenting, revealing the disparity between potential
and reality in society.
- Here, "empty" functions as a metaphor for men who lack
substance, integrity, or purpose.
- "Scheming" suggests cunning or deceptive behavior, implying
that these individuals manipulate situations for personal gain.
- The phrase conveys a stark contrast between those who possess
genuine qualities and those who operate with selfish intentions.
And the empty, scheming
- The line uses anaphora with the conjunction "and" to connect it
men
to the previous line, amplifying the portrayal of these men as
the opposite of the "brave" and "gifted."
- It critiques societal values, emphasizing the glorification of the
wrong individuals.
- This line questions whether these deceitful men are allowed to
continue their actions unchallenged.
- "Left in peace" suggests that they are allowed to prosper
Are left inpeace their
without opposition.
lunatic age to renew?
