Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CURSE OF LIFE, by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: All that flesh doth cover Last Line: Till our broken being in death is hushed and still. Alternate Author Name(s): Houghton, 1st Baron; Houghton, Lord Subject(s): Life | ||||||||
ALL that flesh doth cover, Souls of source sublime, Are but slaves sold over To the Master Time, To work out their ransom for the ancient crime. Some go meet the morrow With industrious will, -- Others toil in sorrow, Though their hands be still; Man must toil for good or he shall toil for ill. Grasping at one pleasure, We let others fall: Yet how scant the measure If we sum them all, -- Honey-drops scarce tasted in a sea of gall. Did but tears and sighs Teach our minds to see, With clear-piercing eyes, Into Heaven's decree, By this time, how wise this world of ours would be! Knowledge worn by sadness Grows too faint to rise, -- Anguish fathers madness, -- Labour brutifies: If high feelings live, the Man a Martyr dies. Sleep of freshest childhood Hears the voice of doom; -- Rambling in the wild wood, Culling every bloom, Tender brows are chilled by mist from out the tomb. Gazing on Creation With a first love's eye, Panting exaltation Sinks into a sigh, -- For we learn so soon that what we love must die. Then we try to smother The Love-fire in our heart; Nature, our sweet Mother, Can no balm impart, For she too is sick with all the self-same smart. She would fain relieve us, Fain our grief beguile, -- She cannot deceive us By her outward smile, For we know that Death torments her all the while. In the green bud's bosom There is secret pain, Bees to the same blossom Come not back again, -- Waters weep, that seem to sing a happy strain.* The Gem of Love was shattered Long before our birth, Sparkles still are scattered Over the broad Earth, -- Which some seek in vain, tho' some know not their worth. Some may find and hold them, Never to let go, Hearts that would enfold them In their vital glow, -- When Circumstance comes in and works them double woe: Circumstance that ever Uses wicked skill All fond ties to sever, Bind them as we will, Till our broken being in Death is hushed and still. | 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 COLUMBUS AND THE MAYFLOWER by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES |
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