Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MYSTERY OF LIFE, by JOHN GAMBOLD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MYSTERY OF LIFE, by                    
First Line: So many years I've seen the sun
Last Line: Thoughts, virtues, friendships, griefs and joys.
Subject(s): Life


So many years I've seen the sun,
And called these eyes and hands my own,
A thousand little acts I've done,
And childhood have and manhood known:
O what is life? and this dull round
To tread, why was a spirit bound?

So many airy draughts and lines,
And warm excursions of the mind,
Have filled my soul with great designs,
While practice grovelled far behind:
O what is thought? and where withdraw
The glories which my fancy saw?

So many tender joys and woes
Have on my quivering soul had power;
Plain life with height'ning passions rose,
The boast or burden of their hour:
O what is all we feel? why fled
Those pains and pleasures o'er my head?

So many human souls divine,
So at one interview displayed,
Some oft and freely mixed with mine,
In lasting bonds my heart have laid:
O what is friendship? why impressed
On my weak, wretched, dying breast?

So many wondrous gleams of light,
And gentle ardours from above,
Have made me sit, like seraph bright,
Some moments on a throne of love:
O what is virtue? why had I,
Who am so low, a taste so high?

Ere long, when sovereign Wisdom wills,
My soul an unknown path shall tread,
And strangely leave, who strangely fills
This frame, and waft me to the dead:
O what is death? 'tis life's last shore,
Where vanities are vain no more;
Where all pursuits their goal obtain,
And life is all retouched again;
Where in their bright result shall rise
Thoughts, virtues, friendships, griefs and joys.





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