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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THOUGHTS DURING SICKNESS: 5. FLIGHT OF THE SPIRIT, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Whither, oh! Whither wilt thou wing thy way?
Last Line: Knowing but this -- that thou shalt find thy guide!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Sickness; Illness
First Line: Whither, oh! Whither wilt thou wing thy way?
Last Line: Knowing but this -- that thou shalt find thy guide!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Sickness; Illness
WHITHER, oh! whither wilt thou wing thy way?
What solemn region first upon thy sight
Shall break, unveiled for terror or delight?
What hosts, magnificent in dread array,
My spirit! when thy prison-house of clay,
After long strife is rent? Fond, fruitless quest!
The unfledged bird, within his narrow nest,
Sees but a few green branches o'er him play,
And through their parting leaves, by fits revealed,
A glimpse of summer sky; nor knows the field
Wherein his dormant powers must yet be tried.
Thou art that bird! -- of what beyond thee lies
Far in the untracked, immeasurable skies,
Knowing but this -- that thou shalt find thy Guide!
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A SICK CHILD by RANDALL JARRELL
AFTERNOON AT MACDOWELL by JANE KENYON
HAVING IT OUT WITH MELANCHOLY by JANE KENYON
SONNET: 9. HOPE by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES
A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS