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THE ANGEL IN THE HOUSE: BOOK 2. CANTO 3. LOVE CEREMONIOUS by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE

Poet Analysis

First Line: KEEP YOUR UNDREST, FAMILIAR STYLE
Last Line: BEFITTING OUR IMMORTAL LIFE.

KEEP your undrest, familiar style
For strangers, but respect your friend,
Her most, whose matrimonial smile
Is and asks honour without end.
'Tis found, and needs it must so be,
That life from love's allegiance flags,
When love forgets his majesty
In sloth's unceremonious rags.
Let love make home a gracious Court;
There let the world's rude, hasty ways
Be fashion'd to a loftier port,
And learn to bow and stand at gaze;
And let the sweet respective sphere
Of personal worship there obtain
Circumference for moving clear
None treading on another's train.
This makes that pleasures do not cloy,
And dignifies our mortal strife
With calmness and considerate joy,
Befitting our immortal life.



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