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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VANITY OF VANITIES (1) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI

Poet Analysis

First Line: AH WOE IS ME FOR PLEASURE THAT IS VAIN
Last Line: SAYING ONE TO ANOTHER 'HOW VAIN IT IS!'
Subject(s): VANITY;

AH woe is me for pleasure that is vain,
Ah woe is me for glory that is past!
Pleasure that bringeth sorrow at the last,
Glory that at the last bringeth no gain.
So saith the sinking heart; and so again
It shall say till the mighty angel-blast
Is blown, making the sun and moon aghast,
And showering down the stars like sudden rain.
And evermore men shall go fearfully,
Bending beneath their weight of heaviness;
And ancient men shall lie down wearily,
And strong men shall rise up in weariness:
Yea even the young shall answer sighingly,
Saying one to another 'How vain it is!'



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