An angel of pale desire Whispered me in the ear (Ah me, the white-rose mesh Of the flower-soft, rose-white flesh!) "Love, they say, is a fire: Lo, the soft love that is here! "Love, they say, is a pain Infinite as the soul, Ever a longing to be Love's, to infinity, Ever a longing in vain After a vanishing goal. "Lo, the soft joy that I give Here in the garden of earth; Come where the rose-tree grows, Thine is the garden's rose, Weave rose-garlands, and live In ease, in indolent mirth." Then I saw that the rose was fair, And the mystical rose afar, A glimmering shadow of light, Paled to a star in the night; And the angel whispered "Beware, Love is a wandering star. "Love is a raging fire, Choose thou content instead; Thou, the child of the dust, Choose thou a delicate Lust." "Thou hast chosen!" I said To the angel of pale desire. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BROKEN HEART by JOHN DONNE TO A CHILD DURING SICKNESS by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT THE HOUSEKEEPER by CHARLES LAMB AFTER DEATH by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE SECOND DAYES LAMENTATION OF THE AFFECTIONATE SHEPHEARD by RICHARD BARNFIELD |