ALL ye that pass along Love's trodden way, Pause ye awhile and say If there be any grief like unto mine: I pray you that you hearken a short space Patiently, if my case Be not a piteous marvel and a sign. Love (never, certes, for my worthless part, But of his own great heart), Vouchsafed to me a life so calm and sweet That oft I heard folk question as I went What such great gladness meant:— They spoke of it behind me in the street. But now that fearless bearing is all gone Which with Love's hoarded wealth was given me; Till I am grown to be So poor that I have dread to think thereon. And thus it is that I, being like as one Who is ashamed and hides his poverty, Without seem full of glee, And let my heart within travail and moan. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO GALLANT FRANCE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON MOTHER AND SON by KAREN SWENSON EPITAPH by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE MISS KILMANSEGG AND HER PRECIOUS LEG: HER BIRTH by THOMAS HOOD SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: DAISY FRASER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS NEARER by ROBERT MALISE BOWYER NICHOLS |