Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A POET'S HOPE, by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Lady, there is a hope that all men have Last Line: If my bark sinks, 'tis to another sea. Alternate Author Name(s): Channing Ii, William Ellery | ||||||||
LADY, there is a hope that all men have, -- Some mercy for their faults, a grassy place To rest in, and a flower-strown, gentle grave; Another hope which purifies our race, That, when that fearful bourne forever past, They may find rest, -- and rest so long to last. I seek it not, I ask no rest for ever, My path is onward to the farthest shores, -- Upbear me in your arms, unceasing river, That from the soul's clear fountain swiftly pours, Motionless not, until the end is won, Which now I feel hath scarcely felt the sun. To feel, to know, to soar unlimited Mid throngs of light-winged angels sweeping far, And pore upon the realms unvisited That tessellate the unseen, unthought star, -- To be the thing that now I feebly dream, Flashing within my faintest, deepest gleam. Ah! caverns of my soul! how thick your shade, Where flows that life by which I faintly see: -- Wave your bright torches, for I need your aid, Golden-eyed demons of my ancestry! Your son though blinded hath a light within, A heavenly fire which ye from suns did win. And, lady, in thy hope my life will rise Like the air-voyager, till I upbear These heavy curtains of my filmy eyes Into a lighter, more celestial air: A mortal's hope shall bear me safely on, Till I the higher region shall have won. O Time! O Death! I clasp you in my arms, For I can soothe an infinite cold sorrow, And gaze contented on your icy charms And that wild snow-pile which we call tomorrow; Sweep on, O soft and azure-lidded sky, Earth's waters to your gentle gaze reply. I am not earth-born, though I here delay; Hope's child, I summon infiniter powers, And laugh to see the mild and sunny day Smile on the shrunk and thin autumnal hours; I laugh, for hope hath happy place with me, -- If my bark sinks, 'tis to another sea. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SLEEPY HOLLOW by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) EDITH by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) SEA SONG by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) TEARS IN SPRING by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) THE BARREN MOORS by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) WALDEN LAKE by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) CONTENT by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) EARTH-SPIRIT by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) FLIGHT OF THE WILD GEESE by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) HARBOR by WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1817-1901) |
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