Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PATIENCE, by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PATIENCE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: She hath no beauty in her face
Last Line: Talk with the angels unaware!
Subject(s): Patience; Religion; Theology


SHE hath no beauty in her face
Unless the chastened sweetness there,
And meek long-suffering, yield a grace
To make her mournful features fair: --

Shunned by the gay, the proud, the young,
She roams through dim, unsheltered ways,
Nor lover's vow, nor flatterer's tongue
Brings music to her sombre days: --

At best her skies are clouded o'er,
And oft she fronts the stinging sleet,
Or feels on some tempestuous shore
The storm-waves lash her naked feet.

Where'er she strays, or musing stands
By lonesome beach, by turbulent mart,
We see her pale, half-tremulous hands
Crossed humbly o'er her aching heart!

Within, a secret pain she bears, --
A pain too deep to feel the balm
An April spirit finds in tears;
Alas! all cureless griefs are calm!

Yet in her passionate strength surpreme,
Despair beyond her pathway flies,
Awed by the softly steadfast beam
Of sad, but heaven-enamored eyes!

Who pause to greet her, vaguely seem
Touched by fine wafts of holier air;
As those who in some mystic dream
Talk with the angels unaware!




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