Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MYSTERY OF LIFE, by JOHN GAMBOLD First Line: So many years I've seen the sun Last Line: Thoughts, virtues, friendships, griefs and joys. Subject(s): Life | ||||||||
So many years I've seen the sun, And called these eyes and hands my own, A thousand little acts I've done, And childhood have and manhood known: O what is life? and this dull round To tread, why was a spirit bound? So many airy draughts and lines, And warm excursions of the mind, Have filled my soul with great designs, While practice grovelled far behind: O what is thought? and where withdraw The glories which my fancy saw? So many tender joys and woes Have on my quivering soul had power; Plain life with height'ning passions rose, The boast or burden of their hour: O what is all we feel? why fled Those pains and pleasures o'er my head? So many human souls divine, So at one interview displayed, Some oft and freely mixed with mine, In lasting bonds my heart have laid: O what is friendship? why impressed On my weak, wretched, dying breast? So many wondrous gleams of light, And gentle ardours from above, Have made me sit, like seraph bright, Some moments on a throne of love: O what is virtue? why had I, Who am so low, a taste so high? Ere long, when sovereign Wisdom wills, My soul an unknown path shall tread, And strangely leave, who strangely fills This frame, and waft me to the dead: O what is death? 'tis life's last shore, Where vanities are vain no more; Where all pursuits their goal obtain, And life is all retouched again; Where in their bright result shall rise Thoughts, virtues, friendships, griefs and joys. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRIVILEGE OF BEING by ROBERT HASS SEAWATER STIFFENS CLOTH by JANE HIRSHFIELD SAYING YES TO LIVING by DAVID IGNATOW THE WORLD IS SO DIFFICULT TO GIVE UP by DAVID IGNATOW LWONESOMENESS by WILLIAM BARNES |
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