Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PROMISING (A MAN SPEAKS), by JEAN INGELOW


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PROMISING (A MAN SPEAKS), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Once, a new world, the sun-swart marinere
Last Line: But -- ah, for present joy, give me one kiss.
Subject(s): Hearts; Kisses; Life; Man-woman Relationships; Male-female Relations


ONCE, a new world, the sun-swart marinere,
Columbus, promised, and was sore withstood,
Ungraced, unhelped, unheard for many a year;
But let at last to make his promise good.
Promised and promising I go, most dear,
To better my dull heart with love's sweet feud,
My life with its most reverent hope and fear,
And my religion, with fair gratitude.

O we must part; the stars for me contend,
And all the winds that blow on all the seas.
Through wonderful waste places I must wend,
And with a promise my sad soul appease.
Promise then, promise much of far-off bliss;
But -- ah, for present joy, give me one kiss.





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