Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE POET'S TESTAMENT, by GEORGE SANTAYANA


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE POET'S TESTAMENT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I give back to the earth what the earth gave
Last Line: Fulfil in beauty my imperfect prayer.
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


I give back to the earth what the earth gave,
All to the furrow, nothing to the grave.
The candle's out, the spirit's vigil spent;
Sight may not follow where the vision went.

I leave you but the sound of many a word
In mocking echoes haply overheard.
I sang to heaven. My exile made me free,
From world to world, from all worlds carried me.

Spared by the Furies, for the Fates were kind,
I paced the pillared cloisters of the mind;
All times my present, everywhere my place,
Nor fear, nor hope, nor envy saw my face.

Blow what winds would, the ancient truth was mine,
And friendship mellowed in the flush of wine,
And heavenly laughter, shaking from its wings
Atoms of light and tears for mortal things.

To trembling harmonies of field and cloud,
Of flesh and spirit was my worship vowed.
Let form, let music, let the all-quickening air
Fulfil in beauty my imperfect prayer.





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