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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET-SEQUENCE: 2 by WILLIAM SHARP

First Line: OUT OF THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Last Line: WHAT MENACE HAUNTETH JOY SO DEARLY BOUGHT?
Subject(s): DEATH; DEAD, THE;
Out of the valley of the Shadow of Death
Who cometh, through the haunted Hollow Land?
On those tired lips of mine whose quickening breath,
In this long yearning clasp whose tremulous hand?
O, is it death or dream, madness, or what
Fantastic torture of the chemic brain,
That brings thee here, as thus, when all forgot,
Thy body sleeps, as mine doth, free from pain?
What is the brooding word upon thy lips
O beautiful image of my heart's desire?
What is the ominous shadow of eclipse
That dusks those veiled eyes' redeeming fire?
O soul whom I from life to life have sought,
What menace haunteth joy so dearly bought?



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