Ere dawn I was gone. What my four walls told me I dwell not on, For they could not hold me. Oh, the lamp's warm light, Faces fond—dear laughter! Warmth and light—last night! And this comes after! Yet in storm I am warm, And the mirk's mine ingle,— In the thresh of the storm Where one's wet cheeks tingle. Black boughs—black roads, And the fog to fold me,— And a hurt that goads So no home may hold me! No road can tire, And no fear can break me, Though I flounder in mire And the stars forsake me; The house so small? If, as they told me, Its wise rule were All, Yet it could not hold me! I must joy to grieve, Easy bliss refusing. I must love but to leave, And to find in losing. Warmth and light—last night— Of a sweet, wise order; yet afar I fight Toward the utmost border Of the hurricane And the lightning levin, And the rushing rain From a pitchblack heaven. For some marshlight star That I clapped wild eyes on Do I post afar O'er the grim horizon? Nay! Near Truth will blur; So the far seas over I must haste from her To return and love her. Round the world the light That I seek—that shall find me— Was a lamp last night In my home behind me! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TEN COMMANDMENTS by GEORGE SANTAYANA THE LADY'S 'YES' by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL by GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY FRENCH REVOLUTION; AS IT APPEARED TO ENTHUSIASTS AT ITS COMMENCEMENT by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH BLESSING THE LIGHTS by ALTER ABELSON SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 34. FAIRY LAND by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) A MISUNDERSTANDING (CONNEMARA) by JANE BARLOW |