SING, for with hands, One thumb and four fingers a-piece, They built the temples of Egypt and Greece! Sing, for in many lands Are things of use and beauty seen, That without hands had never been Without skilled hands! White hands, deft hands, No lily is more lovely, no Nor can the swan more graces show Than lady's arm commands! O strength as of a giant's grip! O firmness meet to steer a ship! O swart, male hands! Frank hands, free hands, When shall my little ones grow great And clasp such huge ones for their mate? Who thinks, who understands, How hands of soldiers and of kings, And all those by princesses waved, Were once a baby's hands, and craved For jangling toys and shining things? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LOVER MOURNS FOR THE LOSS OF LOVE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE WALKER OF THE SNOW by CHARLES DAWSON SHANLY THE ART OF BOOK-KEEPING by SAMUEL LAMAN BLANCHARD TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND AND INGENIOUS FRIEND, THE AUTHOR by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |