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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A VAIN WISH, by PHILIP BOURKE MARSTON Poet's Biography First Line: I would not, could I, make thy life as Last Line: But murmur, shell-like, at thy spirit's ear. | |||
I WOULD not, could I, make thy life as mine; Only I would, if such a thing might be, Thou shouldst not, love, forget me utterly; Yea, when the sultry stars of summer shine On dreaming woods, where nightingales repine, I would that at such times should come to thee Some thought not quite unmix'd with pain, of me, -- Some little sorrow for a soul's decline. Yea, too, I would that through thy brightest times, Like the sweet burden of remember'd rhymes, That gentle sadness should be with thee, dear; And when the gates of sleep are on thee shut, I would not, even then, it should be mute, But murmur, shell-like, at thy spirit's ear. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest... |
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