DEAR, had the world in its caprice Deigned to proclaim "I know you both. Have recognized your plighted troth, Am sponsor for you: live in peace!" -- How many precious months and years Of youth had passed, that speed so fast, Before we found it out at last, The world, and what it fears! How much of priceless life were spent With men that every virtue decks, And women models of their sex, Society's true ornament, -- Ere we dared wander, nights like this, Through wind and rain, and watch the Seine, And feel the Boulevard break again To warmth and light and bliss! I know! the world proscribes not love; Allows my finger to caress Your lips' contour and downiness, Provided it supply a glove. The world's good word! -- the Institute! Guizot receives Montalembert! Eh? Down the court three lampions flare: Put forward your best foot! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAND OF HEART'S DESIRE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE CHRONICLE; A BALLAD by ABRAHAM COWLEY ON AN INVITATION TO THE UNITED STATES by THOMAS HARDY PRISONED IN WINDSOR, HE RECOUNTETH HIS PLEASURE THERE PASSED by HENRY HOWARD ESTRANGEMENT by WILLIAM WATSON BROKEN MUSIC by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |