The Fault of It
The Fault of It - meaning Summary
Silence About Past Praises
Pound’s short poem presents speakers who refuse to repeat the flattering, sentimental observations they once made in earlier verse. Critics accused them of abandoning subjects like a woman’s beauty or sorrow, but the speakers insist they will not rehash those phrases. They suggest that such repetitions feel false or too intimate now, and that any pride in withholding comment stems from a wiser restraint rather than mere affectation.
Read Complete AnalysesSome may have blamed us that we cease to speak Of things we spoke of in our verses early, Saying: a lovely voice is such as such; Saying: that lady's eyes were sad last week, Wherein the world's whole joy is born and dies; Saying: she hath this way or that, this much Of grace, this way or that, this much Of grace, this little misericorde; Ask us no further word; If we were proud, then proud to be so wise Ask us no more of all the things ye heard; We may not speak of them, they touch us nearly.
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