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Caliban on Ariel

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

Topics: classic

"His backward voice is to utter foul speeches and to detract"     The tongue is loosed of that most lying slave,     Whom stripes may move, not kindness. Listen: "Lo,     The real god of song, Lord Stephano,     That's a brave god, if ever god were brave,     And bears celestial liquor: but," the knave     (A most ridiculous monster) howls, "we know     From Ariel's lips what springs of poison flow,     The chicken-heart blasphemer! Hear him rave!"     Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself     Upon thy wicked dam, the witch whose name     Is darkness, and the sun her eyes' offence,     Though hell's hot sewerage breed no loathlier elf,     Men cry not shame upon thee, seeing thy shame     So perfect: they but bid thee"Hag-seed, hence!"

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""His backward voice is to utter foul speeches and to detract"..."

This evocative piece by Algernon Charles Swinburne, titled "Caliban on Ariel", represents a masterful exploration of classic. The lines capture a profound emotional resonance... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

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Author:Algernon Charles Swinburne

""His backward voice is to utter foul speeches and ..." by Algernon Charles Swinburne

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Algernon Charles Swinburne

About Algernon Charles Swinburne

Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837–1909) was an English poet known for metrical innovation and bold themes. His "Atalanta in Calydon" and "Poems and Ballads" challenged Victorian conventions with their musical intensity and controversial subject matter.

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