Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LOVE, PRIDE, AND FORGETFULNESS by ALFRED TENNYSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: ERE YET MY HEART WAS SWEET LOVE'S TOMB
Last Line: WHAT MARVEL THAT SHE DIED?
Subject(s): FORGETFULNESS; LOVE; PRIDE; SELF-ESTEEM; SELF-RESPECT;

ERE yet my heart was sweet Love's tomb,
Love labored honey busily.
I was the hive, and Love the bee,
My heart the honeycomb.
One very dark and chilly night
Pride came beneath and held a light.

The cruel vapors went through all,
Sweet Love was withered in his cell:
Pride took Love's sweets, and by a spell
Did change them into gall;
And Memory, though fed by Pride,
Did wax so thin on gall,
Awhile she scarcely lived at all.
What marvel that she died?





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