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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
STANZAS (2), by ELIZA COOK Poet's Biography First Line: My joy, my hopes, let others share Last Line: But lock the nightshade in my heart. | |||
My joy, my hopes, let others share: In grief I'd play the miser's part; My lips, my brow, should never bear The index of a stricken heart. If riches were consigned to me, No griping hand would clutch the pelf; For valueless the gold would be If hoarded only for myself. If pleasure's cheering rays were mine, I would not bask in selfish light, But have the circle spread and shine, And make all round as glad and bright. But should my spirit bend and ache Beneath some pressing load of wo, Unheard the heavy sigh must break, Unseen the scalding drop must flow! With sudden stroke or wearing pain The harb might pierce, the worm might feed; I'd cloak the wound, I'd hide the chain -- In secret weep -- in silence bleed. For did my troubled breast reveal Its anguish to the world's wide ear, The few would grieve, partake, and feel -- The many would not care to hear. And could I bear the few, the loved, To make my fears and sorrows theirs! Could I e'er wish a bosom moved To note and mourn my doubts and cares! 'Twere easier far to inly groan, And let the canker rankle deep; Better the worst of pangs my own Than see a dear one watch and weep? And who among the busy throng Would heed my words or mark my tear? The saddest tale, the foulest wrong, Might raise a smile or call a sneer. Oh! well I know, whate'er my fate, I'd meet and brook it firmly proud, And rather die beneath the weight Than tell it to the soulless crowd. Joy, hoep, and wealth, let others share; In grief I'd play the miser's part: I'd scatter all that's sweet and fair, But lock the nightshade in my heart. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE OLD ARM-CHAIR by ELIZA COOK A FOREST THOUGHT by ELIZA COOK A HOME IN THE HEART by ELIZA COOK AFTER A MOTHER'S DEATH by ELIZA COOK |
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