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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET: 5, 4 by FREDERICK GODDARD TUCKERMAN

First Line: BUT MAN FINDS MEANS, GRANT HIM BUT PLACE AND ROOM
Last Line: THE SKY HEAVED OVER OUR FAINT HEADS IS HEAVEN.

But man finds means, grant him but place and room,
To gauge the depths and views a wonder dawn,
Sees all the worlds in utmost space withdrawn
In shape and structure like a honeycomb,
Locates his sun and grasps the universe
Or to their bearings bids the orbs disperse;
Now seems to stand like that great angel girt
With moon and stars: now, sick for shelter even,
Craves but a roof to turn the thunder-rain--
Or finds his vaunted reach and wisdom vain,
Lost in the myriad meaning of a word,
Or starts at its bare import, panic-stirred:
For earth is earth or hearth or dearth or dirt,
The sky heaved over our faint heads is heaven.



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