Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 18. GENIUS IN BEAUTY, by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI


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THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 18. GENIUS IN BEAUTY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Beauty like hers is genius. Not the call
Last Line: Upon this beauty's power shall wreak no wrong.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rossetti, Gabriel Charles Dante
Subject(s): Beauty


BEAUTY like hers is genius. Not the call
Of Homer's or of Dante's heart sublime,--
Not Michael's hand furrowing the zones of time,--
Is more with compassed mysteries musical;
Nay, not in Spring's or Summer's sweet footfall
More gathered gifts exuberant Life bequeathes
Than doth this sovereign face, whose love-spell breathes
Even from its shadowed contour on the wall.

As many men are poets in their youth,
But for one sweet-strung soul the wires prolong
Even through all change the indomitable song;
So in likewise the envenomed years, whose tooth
Rends shallower grace with ruin void of ruth,
Upon this beauty's power shall wreak no wrong.





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