Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE UTMOST, by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON


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THE UTMOST, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Some clerks aver that as the tree doth
Last Line: Lest fickle life me of my love deprive.
Alternate Author Name(s): Meredith, Owen; Lytton, 1st Earl Of; Lytton, Robert
Subject(s): Death; Conduct Of Life; Dead, The


SOME clerks aver that as the tree doth fall
Even forever so that tree shall lie,
And that Death's act doth make perpetual
The last state of the souls of men that die.
If this be so, -- if this, indeed, were sure,
Then not a moment longer would I live;
Who, being now as I would fain endure,
If man's last state doth his last hour survive,
Should be among the blessed souls? I fear
Life's many changes, not Death's changelessness.
So perfect is this moment's passing cheer,
I needs must tremble lest it pass to less.
Thus but in fickle love of life I live,
Lest fickle life me of my love deprive.





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