Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MELANCHOLIA, by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MELANCHOLIA, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The sickness of desire, that in dark days
Last Line: If they delite thee not, 'tis thou art dead.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bridges, Robert+(2)
Subject(s): Melancholy; Dejection


The sickness of desire, that in dark days
Looks on the imagination of despair,
Forgetteth man, and stinteth God his praise;
Nor but in sleep findeth a cure for care.
Incertainty that once gave scope to dream
Of laughing enterprise and glory untold,
Is now a blackness that no stars redeem,
A wall of terror in a night of cold.

Fool! thou that has impossibly desired
And now impatiently despairest, see
How nought is changed: Joy's wisdom is attired
Splendid for others' eyes if not for thee:
Not love or beauty or youth from earth is fled:
If they delite thee not, 'tis thou art dead.






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net