Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET: THE DOUBLE RAINBOW by CONSTANCE CAROLINE WOODHILL NADEN

First Line: I SAW THE PASSIONS AND DESIRES OF MAN
Last Line: SOFT WITH REMEMBERED GRIEF AND HAPPINESS.
Subject(s): GRIEF; HAPPINESS; RAINBOWS; SORROW; SADNESS; JOY; DELIGHT;
I SAW the passions and desires of Man
Blent in a thousand-coloured arc of light,
A double rainbow; but so jewel-bright
The scarf of Iris had been pale and wan
Beside it: not the torrent-bows that span
A river-fall at noon; nor birds whose flight
Gleams ruby and gold; nor columned chrysolite
In caves enchanted; nought, since light began,

Could match its glories: but the inner arch
With Joy and Anguish too intensely burned
For eyes that love the cloudy robes of March
And April, and calm Autumn's golden dress:
Half-blinded, to the outer bow they turned,
Soft with remembered Grief and Happiness.





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