Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TEARS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

Poet Analysis

First Line: THANK GOD, BLESS GOD, ALL YE WHO SUFFER NOT
Last Line: AND LEAVE THE VISION CLEAR FOR STARS AND SUN.
Subject(s): CONSOLATION; GRIEF; TEARS; SORROW; SADNESS;

Thank God, bless God, all ye who suffer not
More grief than ye can weep for. That is well --
That is light grieving! lighter, none befell,
Since Adam forfeited the primal lot.
Tears! what are tears? The babe weeps in its cot,
The mother singing; at her marriage bell
The bride weeps; and before the oracle
Of high-faned hills, the poet has forgot
Such moisture on his cheeks. Thank God for grace,
Ye who weep only! If, as some have done,
Ye grope tear-blinded in a desert place,
And touch but tombs, -- look up! Those tears will run
Soon in long rivers down the lifted face,
And leave the vision clear for stars and sun.



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