Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EXPECTATION, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EXPECTATION, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The king's three daughters stood on ... Terrace
Last Line: "is the loneliest depth of human pain."
Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Hope; Life; Pain; Optimism; Suffering; Misery


THE King's three daughters stood on the terrace,
The hanging terrace, so broad and green,
Which keeps the sea from the marble Palace:
There was Princess May, and Princess Alice,
And the youngest Princess, Gwendoline.

Sighed Princess May, "Will it last much longer,
Time throbs so slow and my Heart so quick;
And O, how long is the day in dying!
Weary am I of waiting and sighing,
For Hope deferred makes the spirit sick."

But Princess Gwendoline smiled and kissed her: --
"Am I not sadder than you, my Sister?
Expecting joy is a happy pain.
The Future's fathomless mine of treasures,
All countless hordes of possible pleasures,
Might bring their store to my feet in vain."

Sighed Princess Alice as night grew nearer:
"So soon, so soon, is the daylight fled!
And O, how fast comes the dark to-morrow,
Who hides, perhaps, in her veil of sorrow
The terrible hour I wait and dread!"

But Princess Gwendoline kissed her, sighing: --
"It is only Life that can fear dying;
Possible loss means possible gain.
Those who still dread are not quite forsaken;
But not to fear, because all is taken,
Is the loneliest depth of human pain."





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net