OH, could we do with this world of ours As thou dost with thy garden bowers, Reject the weeds and keep the flowers, What a heaven on earth we ' d make it! So bright a dwelling should be our own, So warranted free from sigh or frown, That angels soon would be coming down, By the week or month to take it. Like those gay flies that wing thro' air, And in themselves a lustre bear, A stock of light , still ready there, Whenever they wish to use it; So, in this world I ' d make for thee, Our hearts should all like fire - flies be, And the flash of wit or poesy Break forth whenever we choose it. While every joy that glads our sphere Hath still some shadow hovering near, In this new world of ours, my dear, Such shadows will all be omitted: Unless they're like that graceful one, Which, when thou''rt dancing in the sun, Still near thee, leaves a charm upon Each spot where it hath flitted! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A PROPHECY by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR FOR 'THE WINE OF CIRCE' (BY EDWARD BURNE JONES) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE OLD LOBSTERMAN by JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE ANDROMEDA by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH SALOME by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE THE FLAG TRIUMPHANT by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN |