NAY, but the world is old, nigh old as hell; Since first man wept, since first desire o'ercame With fire more fierce and bitterer than hell's flame, The tale of time is grown too long to tell. 'Tis life is ill and dying that is well, Whether wrist-bound the sea our body claim, Or with clear eyes on heaven we fall full game To stroke of sword or to the bursting shell. Thou hast my love, O heart whom Earth so craves, O burning might that bears the martyr out Whose soul in passing grows in strength serene! O splendid blood, come shrive me in thy waves, So may I, while the vulgar rabble shout, Pass to my endless home with spirit clean! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE NIGHTINGALE by PAUL VERLAINE OUTWARD BOUND by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH SONNET: 46 by WILLIAM DRUMMOND OF HAWTHORNDEN LAUS VENERIS (A PICTURE BY BURNE-JONES) by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON MAKE FRIENDS by ALI IBN ABU TALIB CONSTANTINOPLE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD A NEW PILGRIMAGE: 24 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |