“The mass and majesty of this world, all
That carries weight and always weighs the same
Lay in the hands of others; they were small
And could not hope for help and no help came:
What their foes like to do was done, their shame
Was all the worst could wish; they lost their pride
And died as men before their bodies died.”

—  W. H. Auden, book The Shield of Achilles

The Shield of Achilles (1952)

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W. H. Auden photo
W. H. Auden122
Anglo-American poet 1907–1973

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