Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE UNATTAINED, by ELIZABETH OAKES PRINCE SMITH Poet's Biography First Line: And is this life? And are we born for this? Last Line: The present can not sate nor e'er thy spirit fill. Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, Seba (e. Oakes), Mrs.; Oakes-smith, Elizabeth Subject(s): Death; Kisses; Life; Dead, The | ||||||||
And is this life? and are we born for this? To follow phantoms that elude the grasp, Or whatsoe'er secured, within our clasp, To withering lie, as if each earth'y kiss Were doomed Death's shuddering touch alone to meet. O Life! hast thou reserved no cup of bliss? Must still the UNATTAINED beguile our feet? The UNATTAINED with yearnings fill the breast, That rob, for ay, the spirit of its rest? Yes, this is Life; and everywhere we meet, Not victor crowns, but wailings of defeat; Yet faint thou not, thou dost apply a test That shall incite thee onward, upward still, The present can not sate nor e'er thy spirit fill. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND AN INCIDENT by ELIZABETH OAKES PRINCE SMITH |
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