WOULD that I might live for ever Where those who make me happy dwell! Desire doeth excellently well, Now wooing me, For, oh, she never Nameth any other place! There ease weds grace; There thought is free, Born like a smile upon the face, Expressed as simply as a child Kisseth its playmate, laughing gaily, There, there the courteous, joyous, mild, Train life to beauty daily! There thought is free; for life is bound Religiously, and sings while serving; There beauty's law admits no swerving; All strengthens life, Till sought be found! Old valours rise to share Ordeals there; Near, like a wife, Stands effort's outcome, bodied fair, Not fettered with dead thoughts, not fainting Because the nightmare world hath lain Athwart her hopes, but love acquainting With beauty ever again. Ever again and again Filling the eyes of our child With the milk of Paradise, Of which the soul is fain, For which the heart is wild, And tears are in the eyes: Ah! that milk of Paradise Is happiness, Is power to bless; What balmy air to halcyon's wing That power to those who make me glad is, To bind my life in bonds to sing, The way such freedom may be had is; The way to gain the power to bless, The one way to win happiness! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FUNERAL HYMN by LOUIS UNTERMEYER AT THE TAVERN by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR SANCTUARY by LOUISE IMOGEN GUINEY A CHRISTMAS CAROL, SUNG TO THE KING IN THE PRESENCE AT WHITEHALL by ROBERT HERRICK THE VICTOR AT ANTIETAM [SEPTEMBER 17, 1862] by HERMAN MELVILLE THE SPELL OF THE YUKON by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE |