Villanelle of Change

Read 'Villanelle of Change' by 'Edwin Arlington Robinson' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Villanelle of Change by Edwin Arlington Robinson

 Since Persia fell at Marathon,
The yellow years have gathered fast: 
Long centuries have come and gone. 

And yet (they say) the place will don
A phantom fury of the past, 
Since Persia fell at Marathon; 

And as of old, when Helicon
Trembled and swayed with rapture vast
(Long centuries have come and gone), 

This ancient plain, when night comes on, 
Shakes to a ghostly battle-blast, 
Since Persia fell at Marathon. 

But into soundless Acheron
The glory of Greek shame was cast: 
Long centuries have come and gone, 

The suns of Hellas have all shone, 
The first has fallen to the last:— 
Since Persia fell at Marathon, 
Long centuries have come and gone.

Form: Villanelle Comments

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