Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ENDURANCE by ELIZABETH AKERS ALLEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: HOW MUCH THE HEART MAY BEAR, AND YET NOT BREAK!
Last Line: LO, ALL THINGS CAN BE BORNE!
Subject(s): FORTITUDE;

How much the heart may bear and yet not break!
How much the flesh may suffer and not die!
I question much if any pain or ache
Of soul or body brings our end more nigh:
Death chooses his own time; till that is sworn,
All evil may be borne.

Behold, we live through all things -- famine, thirst,
Bereavement, pain, all grief and misery,
All woe and sorrow; life inflicts its worst
On soul and body -- but we cannot die,
Though we be sick, and tired, and faint and worn --
Lo, all things can be borne!



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