Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE SPIRIT OF SONG; APOLOGY, by ALICE CARY


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TO THE SPIRIT OF SONG; APOLOGY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: O ever true and comfortable mate
Last Line: But at that great price I would have thee mine.
Subject(s): Regret


O EVER true and comfortable mate,
For whom my love outwore the fleeting red
Of my young cheeks, nor did one jot abate,
I pray thee now, as by a dying bed,
Wait yet a little longer! Hear me tell
How much my will transcends my feeble powers:
As one with blind eyes feeling out in flowers
Their tender hues, or, with no skill to spell
His poor, poor name, but only makes his mark,
And guesses at the sunshine in the dark,
So I have been. A sense of things divine
Lying broad above the little things I knew,
The while I made my poems for a sign
Of the great melodies I felt were true.
Pray thee accept my sad apology,
Sweet master, mending, as we go along,
My homely fortunes with a thread of song,
That all my years harmoniously may run;
Less by the tasks accomplished judging me,
Than by the better things I would have done.
I would not lose thy gracious company
Out of my house and heart for all the good
Besides, that ever comes to womanhood, --
And this is much: I know what I resign,
But at that great price I would have thee mine.





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