Question

"We shall not always plant while others reap

The golden increment of bursting fruit,
Nor always countenance, abject and mute,
That lesser men should hold their brothers cheap;
Not everlastingly while others sleep
Shall we beguile their limbs with mellow flute,
Not always bend to some more subtle brute.
We were not made eternally to weep.

The night, whose sable breast relieves the stark,
White stars, is no less lovely being dark;
And there are buds that cannot bloom at all
In light, but crumple, piteous, and fall.
So in the dark we hid the heart that bleeds,
And wait, and tend our agonizing needs."

In context, the expression "hold their brothers cheap," is best interpreted as (5 points)

to physically restrain

to embezzle earnings

to set a low value on

to exact revenge

Answer 1

The expression "hold their brothers cheap" means to set a low value on. In the context of the poem, the speaker is suggesting that it is not right for "lesser men" to hold their brothers in low regard or to consider them less valuable or important.

Step-by-step explanation:

The poem is about the idea of equality and the speaker is suggesting that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their status or position in society. The phrase "hold their brothers cheap" implies that some people may not value others as highly as they should, which goes against the idea of treating everyone equally. The speaker is arguing that it is not right for some people to consider themselves superior to others and to treat them poorly because of this belief.