I Had the Glory That Will Do
poem 349
I Had the Glory That Will Do - meaning Summary
Choosing Lasting Honor
The speaker claims she possessed a sufficient "Glory"—an inward honor that thought can transform—so she declines lesser, seductive fame. By saying a single, decisive "Nay," she rejects outward recognition. The poem contrasts an early, idealized bliss with the way time deforms and diminishes possibilities, implying that rejecting transient acclaim preserves a different, inward integrity even as temporal forces erode initial promise.
Read Complete AnalysesI had the Glory that will do An Honor, Thought can turn her to When lesser Fames invite With one long Nay Bliss’ early shape Deforming Dwindling Gulfing up Time’s possibility.
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