Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A VAIN WISH, by PHILIP BOURKE MARSTON



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A VAIN WISH, by                     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.





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