Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CAN I KNOW IT?, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CAN I KNOW IT?, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Can I know it? -- nay
Last Line: None will say thee nay.'
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina


'CAN I know it?' -- 'Nay.' --
'Shall I know it?' -- 'Yea,
When all mists have cleared away
For ever and aye.' --

'Why not then to-day?' --
'Who hath said thee nay?
Lift a hopeful heart and pray
In a humble way.' --

'Other hearts are gay.' --
'Ask not joy to-day:
Toil to-day along thy way
Keeping grudge at bay.' --

'On a past May-day
Flowers pranked all the way;
Nightingales sang out their say
On a night of May.' --

'Dost thou covet May
On an Autumn day?
Foolish memory saith its say
Of sweets past away.' --

'Gone the bloom of May,
Autumn beareth bay:
Flowerless wreath for head grown grey
Seemly were to-day.' --

'Dost thou covet bay?
Ask it not to-day:
Rather for a palm-branch pray;
None will say thee nay.'





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