Final answer:
The phrase 'like a stubborn fact' likely references the speaker's persistent presence, given that the provided excerpts do not directly mention anything being described as such. The speaker in poems typically embodies an unfaltering perspective, aligning with the notion of stubborn factuality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'like a stubborn fact' suggests something or someone that is persistent and unyielding, almost incontrovertible in nature. The provided excerpts do not directly reference anything being described as 'like a stubborn fact.' However, if we were to infer from the various texts, we might guess that the subject described as being 'like a stubborn fact' could potentially be the speaker of a poem or narrative, especially in instances where the speaker's presence or perspective is emphasized and undeterred by external events. This is seen, for instance, in the passage that articulates, "Apart from the pulling and hauling stands what I am," where the speaker maintains a separate and contemplative stance despite the world's activities. Without the specific text that uses the phrase 'like a stubborn fact,' it's challenging to provide a concrete answer, but based on the given information, the speaker seems to be a plausible answer.