Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PLEASURE AND PAIN, by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PLEASURE AND PAIN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Who can determine the frontier of pleasure?
Last Line: For pain has its heaven and pleasure its hell!
Alternate Author Name(s): Houghton, 1st Baron; Houghton, Lord
Subject(s): Pain; Pleasure; Suffering; Misery


WHO can determine the frontier of Pleasure?
Who can distinguish the limit of Pain?
Where is the moment the feeling to measure?
When is experience repeated again?

Ye who have felt the delirium of passion --
Say, can ye sever its joys and its pangs?
Is there a power in calm contemplation
To indicate each upon each as it hangs?

I would believe not; -- for spirit will languish
While sense is most blest and creation most bright;
And life will be dearer and clearer in anguish
Than ever was felt in the throbs of delight.

See the Fakeer as he swings on his iron,
See the thin Hermit that starves in the wild;
Think ye no pleasures the penance environ,
And hope the sole bliss by which pain is beguiled?

No! in the kingdoms those spirits are reaching,
Vain are our words the emotions to tell;
Vain the distinctions our senses are teaching,
For Pain has its Heaven and Pleasure its Hell!





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