In the early 1930s, Langston Hughes flirted with Communism, as his poetry from the time period makes clear. However, he never lost sight of his own people and his poetry reflects his desire to unite the plight of the African-American with that of the oppressed worker throughout the world in hopes of a better life for all.
Though George Herbert was an Anglican rather than any of the non-conformist sects and clearly appreciated the physical beauty of high church cathedrals and rituals, his poetry clearly portrays a Calvinist theology, indicated that he refused to take part in the separatist debates of his time, preferring rather to chart a middle way between the extremes many around him were pursuing.
SHAKESPEARE’S SONNET 55
Not marble, nor the gilded monuments
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;
But you shall shine more bright in these contents
Than unswept stone, besmeared by sluttish time.
When wasteful war shall statues overturn,
And broils root out the work of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn
The living record of your memory.
‘Gainst death [...]
