Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET TO G. H. B., by BAYARD TAYLOR



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET TO G. H. B., by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: You comfort me as one that, knowing fate
Last Line: Some demon works unseen, and saps the pile.
Alternate Author Name(s): Taylor, James Bayard
Subject(s): Beauty; Boker, George Henry (1823-1890); Fate; Grief; Love; Destiny; Sorrow; Sadness


YOU comfort me as one that, knowing Fate,
Would paint her visage kinder than you deem;
You say, my only bliss that is no dream
She clouds, but makes not wholly desolate.
Ah, Friend! your heart speaks words of little weight
To veil that sadder knowledge, learned in song,
And 'gainst your solace Grief has made me strong:
The Gods are jealous of our low estate;
They give not Fame to Love, nor Love to Fame;
Power cannot taste the joy the humbler share,
Nor holy Beauty breathe in Luxury's air,
And all in darkness Genius feeds his flame.
We build and build, poor fools! and all the while
Some Demon works unseen, and saps the pile.





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