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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN THE SHADOWS: 9, by DAVID GRAY (1838-1861) Poet's Biography
First Line: A vale of tears, a wilderness of woe
Last Line: Doth the impression evermore inherit.
Subject(s): Grief; Sorrow; Sadness
First Line: A vale of tears, a wilderness of woe
Last Line: Doth the impression evermore inherit.
Subject(s): Grief; Sorrow; Sadness
A vale of tears, a wilderness of woe,
A sad unmeaning mystery of strife;
Reason with Passion strives, and Feeling ever
Battles with Conscience, clear eyed arbiter.
Thus spake I in sad mood not long ago,
To my dear father, of this human life,
Its jars and phantasies. Soft answered he,
With soul of love strong as a mountain river:
We make ourselves. Son, you are what you are
Neither by fate nor providence nor cause
External: all unformed humanity
Waiteth the stamp of individual laws;
And as you love and act, the plastic spirit
Doth the impression evermore inherit.
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DIRGE AT THE END OF THE WOODS by LEONIE ADAMS
IN THE SHADOWS: 19 by DAVID GRAY (1838-1861)