Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THAT LAND, by THOMAS STURGE MOORE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THAT LAND, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Would that I might live for ever
Last Line: The one way to win happiness!
Alternate Author Name(s): Moore, T. Sturge
Subject(s): Heaven; Paradise


WOULD that I might live for ever
Where those who make me happy dwell!
Desire doeth excellently well,
Now wooing me,
For, oh, she never
Nameth any other place!
There ease weds grace;
There thought is free,
Born like a smile upon the face,
Expressed as simply as a child
Kisseth its playmate, laughing gaily,
There, there the courteous, joyous, mild,
Train life to beauty daily!

There thought is free; for life is bound
Religiously, and sings while serving;
There beauty's law admits no swerving;
All strengthens life,
Till sought be found!
Old valours rise to share
Ordeals there;
Near, like a wife,
Stands effort's outcome, bodied fair,
Not fettered with dead thoughts, not fainting
Because the nightmare world hath lain
Athwart her hopes, but love acquainting
With beauty ever again.

Ever again and again
Filling the eyes of our child
With the milk of Paradise,
Of which the soul is fain,
For which the heart is wild,
And tears are in the eyes:
Ah! that milk of Paradise
Is happiness,
Is power to bless;
What balmy air to halcyon's wing
That power to those who make me glad is,
To bind my life in bonds to sing,
The way such freedom may be had is;
The way to gain the power to bless,
The one way to win happiness!





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