Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PARTNERSHIP, by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

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First Line: Yes, you have it; I can see
Last Line: That will be the best.


YES, you have it; I can see.
Beautiful? ... Dear, look at me!
Look and let my shame confess
Triumph after weariness.
Beautiful? Ah, yes.

Lift it where the beams are bright;
Hold it where the western light,
Shining in above my bed,
Throws a glory on your head.
Now it is all said.

All there was for me to say
From the first until to-day.
Long denied and long deferred,
Now I say it in one word--
Now; and you have heard.

Life would have its way with us,
And I've called it glorious:
For I know the glory now
And I read it on your brow.
You have shown me how.

I can feel your cheeks all wet,
But your eyes will not forget:
In the frown you cannot hide
I can read where faith and pride
Are not satisfied.

But the word was, two should live:
Two should suffer--and forgive:
By the steep and weary way,
For the glory of the clay,
Two should have their day.

We have toiled and we have wept
For the gift the gods have kept:
Clashing and unreconciled
When we might as well have smiled,
We have played the child.

But the clashing is all past,
And the gift is yours at last.
Lift it--hold it high again!...
Did I doubt you now and then?
Well, we are not men.

Never mind; we know the way,--
And I do not need to stay.
Let us have it well confessed;
You to triumph, I to rest.
That will be the best.





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