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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 96. LIFE THE BELOVED by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI

Poet Analysis

First Line: AS THY FRIEND'S FACE, WITH SHADOW OF SOUL O'ERSPREAD
Last Line: AND THE RED WINGS OF FROST-FIRE RENT THE SKY.
Subject(s): LIFE;

AS THY friend's face, with shadow of soul o'erspread,
Somewhile unto thy sight perchance hath been
Ghastly and strange, yet never so is seen
In thought, but to all fortunate favour wed;
As thy love's death-bound features never dead
To memory's glass return, but contravene
Frail fugitive days, and always keep, I ween,
Than all new life a livelier lovelihead:--

So Life herself, thy spirit's friend and love,
Even still as Spring's authentic harbinger
Glows with fresh hours for hope to glorify'
Though pale she lay when in the winter grove
Her funeral flowers were snow-flakes shed on her
And the red wings of frost-fire rent the sky.



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