Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WORK, by ANONYMOUS First Line: If some great angel spoke to me tonight Last Line: Where will and work and strength go hand in hand Subject(s): Angels;labor & Laborers;nature | ||||||||
IF some great angel spoke to me to-night, In awful language of the unknown land, Bidding me choose from treasure infinite, From goodly gifts and glories in his hand, The thing I coveted, what should I take? Fame's wreath of bays? The fickle world's esteem? Nay, greenest bays may wave on brows that ache, And world's applauding passeth as a dream. Should I choose love to fill my empty heart With soft, strong sweetness, as in days of old? Nay, for love's rapture hath an after smart, And on love's rose the thorns are manifold. Should I choose life with long succeeding years? Nay, earth's long life is longer time for tears. I would choose work, and never-failing power, To work without weak hindrance by the way, Without recurrence of the weary hour When tired tyrant Nature holds its sway Over the busy brain and toiling hand. Ah! if an angel came to me to-night, Speaking in language of the unknown land, So would I choose from treasures infinite. But well I know the blessed gift I crave, The tireless strength for never-ending task, Is not for this life. But beyond the grave It may be I shall find the thing I ask; For I believe there is a better land, Where will and work and strength go hand in hand. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INTERRUPTED MEDITATION by ROBERT HASS TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS THE FATALIST: HOME by LYN HEJINIAN WRITING IS AN AID TO MEMORY: 17 by LYN HEJINIAN LET US GATHER IN A FLOURISHING WAY by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA IN MICHAEL ROBINS?ÇÖS CLASS MINUS ONE by HICOK. BOB BREADTH. CIRCLE. DESERT. MONARCH. MONTH. WISDOM by JOHN HOLLANDER VARIATIONS: 16 by CONRAD AIKEN UNHOLY SONNET 13 by MARK JARMAN TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS |
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