Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LOVE AND THE NOVICE, by THOMAS MOORE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LOVE AND THE NOVICE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Here we dwell in holiest bowers
Last Line: If he came to them clothed in piety's vest.
Alternate Author Name(s): Little, Thomas
Subject(s): Piety


"HERE we dwell in holiest bowers,
Where angels of light o'er our orisons bend;
Where sighs of devotion and breathings of flowers
To heaven in mingled odour ascend.
Do not disturb our calm, O Love!
So like is thy form to the cherubs above,
It well might deceive such hearts as ours."

Love stood near the Novice and listen'd,
And Love is no novice in taking a hint;
His laughing blue eyes soon with piety glisten'd;
His rosy wing turn'd to heaven's own tint.
"Who would have thought," the urchin cries,
"That Love could so well, so gravely disguise
His wandering wings and wounding eyes?"

Love now warms thee, waking and sleeping,
Young Novice, to him all thy orisons rise.
He tinges the heavenly fount with his weeping,
He brightens the censer's flame with his sighs.
Love is the saint enshrined in thy breast,
And angels themselves would admit such a guest,
If he came to them clothed in Piety's vest.





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