Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ENVOY by FRANCIS THOMPSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: GO, SONGS, FOR ENDED IS OUR BRIEF, SWEET PLAY
Last Line: TELL THEM YE SMILE, FOR YOUR EYES KNOW TO-MORROW.

Go, songs, for ended is our brief, sweet play;
Go, children of swift joy and tardy sorrow:
And some are sung, and that was yesterday,
And some unsung, and that may be to-morrow.
Go forth; and if it be o'er stony way,
Old joy can lend what newer grief must borrow:
And it was sweet, and that was yesterday,
And sweet is sweet, though purchased with sorrow.
Go, songs, and come not back from your far way;
And if men ask you why you smile and sorrow,
Tell them ye grieve, for your hearts know To-day,
Tell them ye smile, for your eyes know To-morrow.





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