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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 43. LOVE AND HOPE by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI

Poet Analysis

First Line: BLESS LOVE AND HOPE. FULL MANY A WITHERED YEAR
Last Line: SCORN-FIRED AT LENGTH THE ILLUSIVE EYES OF HOPE.
Subject(s): HOPE; LOVE; OPTIMISM;

BLESS love and hope. Full many a withered year
Whirled past us, eddying to its chill doomsday;
And clasped together where the blown leaves lay,
We long have knelt and wept full many a tear.
Yet lo! one hour at last, the Spring's compeer,
Flutes softly to us from some green byeway:
Those years, those tears are dead, but only they:--
Bless love and hope, true soul; for we are here.

Cling heart to heart; nor of this hour demand
Whether in very truth, when we are dead,
Our hearts shall wake to know Love's golden head
Sole sunshine of the imperishable land;
Or but discern, through night's unfeatured scope,
Scorn-fired at length the illusive eyes of Hope.



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