Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET, by JOACHIM DU BELLAY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: If, then, our life is shorter than a day
Last Line: Th' ideal beauty which I now adore.
Alternate Author Name(s): Du Bellay, Joachim


IF, then, our life is shorter than a day
Lost in all time; if the revolving year
Hurries our days past hope to reappear;
If all things born must fail and pass away--

What, O my prisoned soul, dost dream of? Say!
Why so much love our days of darkness here,
If to take flight to an abode more dear,
Well-feathered wings you on your shoulders sway?

There is the good which every soul desires,
There the repose to which the world aspires,
And there is love and pleasure evermore.

There, O my soul, rapt to the highest skies,
You will in actual substance recognize
Th' ideal beauty which I now adore.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net