Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WATER-SPRINGS, by WILLIAM ROSE BENET


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WATER-SPRINGS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Arbor and orchard in our soul's south land
Last Line: "give also springs of water!"
Subject(s): Fruit; Water Supply; Dams; Reservoirs; Water Mains


Arbor and orchard in our soul's south land
Bore fruit on either hand;
And, caroling songs, we strayed among our vines
How hazard-gay, yet yearning beyond these,
Unsatisfied, for all our fruits and wines,
Thirsting through all sweet savours of all things,
Who drew no strength from faith and charity's
Higher and lower springs.

Joy's cloying fruits! We lacked strong grief, -- no less,
Strict without bitterness;
Humility's purging draught clear-cold and keen.
The soul's sweet fields were ours at God's command.
All unrefreshed we gazed across their green,
Our plea the plea of Caleb's wistful daughter:
"-- For thou hast given me a bright south land, --
Give also springs of water!"





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