A MOON impoverished amid stars curtailed, A sun of its exuberant lustre shorn, A transient morning that is scarcely morn, A lingering night in double dimness veiled. -- Our hands are slackened and our strength has failed: We born to darkness, wherefore were we born? No ripening more for olive, grape, or corn: Faith faints, hope faints, even love himself has paled. Nay! love lifts up a face like any rose Flushing and sweet above a thorny stem, Softly protesting that the way he knows; And as for faith and hope, will carry them Safe to the gate of New Jerusalem, Where light shines full and where the palm-tree blows. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MAN'S REQUIREMENTS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE MAN HE KILLED by THOMAS HARDY SONNET: 17. TO SIR HENRY VANE THE YOUNGER by JOHN MILTON A VALENTINE by LAURA ELIZABETH HOWE RICHARDS IN DEATH by MARY EMILY NEELEY BRADLEY |