Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PARTING GUEST, by CARROLL RYAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PARTING GUEST, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, sigh no more for the days that are gone
Last Line: But none is permitted to stay.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ryan, William Thomas Carroll
Subject(s): Absence; Farewell; Separation; Isolation; Parting


Oh, sigh no more for the days that are gone—
Dim shadows of ghosts that are dumb—
What if this sunset be lurid or wan,
There's a glorious sunrise to come.

What if the friends you have cherished be dead?
The woman you loved be untrue?
They are the losers of heavenly bread,
And wine of good living—not you.

Have you not supped with the gods in your time,
With Psyche to gladden the night?
Tasted the rapture of love in its prime
Along with the children of light?

Unbidden a guest at the banquet of life
All naked you came and were clad:
Hungry we fed you—we gave you a wife,
And thirsty, our wine made you glad.

Riches we gave you—our gems and our gold—
We loved you, and made you our king—
Taught you our wisdom—the secret we told
Of serpent, of rose, and of ring.

Now a last favor, we open the gate,
That you may pass out and away;
Here, it is ordered, must ev'ryone wait,
But none is permitted to stay.





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