Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FRAGMENTS INTENDED FOR DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: LOVE IS WISER THAN AMBITION, by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O give not up the promise of your time Last Line: Must shed its light without. Subject(s): Ambition; Home; Love | ||||||||
Amala. O give not up the promise of your time For me: for what? an evanescent woman, A rose-leaf scarce unfolded ere it falls. Your days Should be a wood of laurels evergreen: Seek glory! Athulf. Glory! To be sung to tuneless harps! A picture, and a name; to live for death! Seek glory? Never. The world's gossip Fame Is busy in the market-place, the change, At court or wrangling senate, noting down Him of the fattest purse, the fabulous crest, The tongue right honied or most poisonous. If Glory goes among the bristling spears, Which war is mowing down; or walks the wave, When Fate weighs kingdoms in their battle-fleets; Or watches the still student at his work, Reading the laws of nature in the heavens, Or earth's minutest creature; she may find me: If not, I am contented with oblivion, As all the other millions. My sweet fair, One little word of confidence and love, From lips beloved, thrilleth more my heart Than brightest trumpet-touch of statued Fame. My bird of Paradise, tell me some news Of your own home. Amala. My home should be your heart: What shall I tell of that? Athulf. Can you not see? Surely the love that burns before thy image, As sunny as a burning diamond, Must shed its light without. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD BALLAD OF HUMAN LIFE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: DIRGE FOR WOLFRAM by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: SAILORS' [OR MARINERS'] SONG by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |
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