Wait till the Majesty of Death



Wait till the Majesty of Death
Invests so mean a brow!
Almost a powdered Footman
Might dare to touch it now!

Wait till in Everlasting Robes
That Democrat is dressed,
Then prate about "Preferment"—
And "Station," and the rest!

Around this quiet Courtier
Obsequious Angels wait!
Full royal is his Retinue!
Full purple is his state!

A Lord, might dare to lift the Hat
To such a Modest Clay
Since that My Lord, "the Lord of Lords"
Receives unblushingly!

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 03, 2023

24 sec read
585

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAXA XBBB XCXC XDXD
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 444
Words 82
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4

Emily Dickinson

Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was an American poet. more…

All Emily Dickinson poems | Emily Dickinson Books

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1 Comment
  • Emile
    Impressive and beautiiful!!
    LikeReply4 months ago
    • Emile
      beautiful*
      LikeReply4 months ago

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"Wait till the Majesty of Death" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 15 Jan. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/12399/wait-till-the-majesty-of-death>.

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Do not go gentle into that good _______. Rage, rage against the dying of the light
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