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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


IS LOVE A FANCY, OR A FEELING? by DAVID HARTLEY COLERIDGE

Poet Analysis

First Line: IS LOVE A FANCY, OR A FEELING? NO
Last Line: AND HOPE A SPECTRE IN A RUIN BARE.
Subject(s): LOVE - NATURE OF;

Is love a fancy, or a feeling? No,
It is immortal as immaculate Truth.
'Tis not a blossom, shed as soon as youth
Drops from the stem of life -- for it will grow
In barren regions, where no waters flow,
Nor ray of promise cheats the pensive gloom.
A darkling fire, faint hovering o'er a tomb,
That but itself and darkness nought doth show,
Is my love's being, -- yet it cannot die,
Nor will it change, though all be changed beside;
Though fairest beauty be no longer fair,
Though vows be false, and faith itself deny,
Though sharp enjoyment be a suicide,
And hope a spectre in a ruin bare.



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