Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 34, by ALFRED TENNYSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 34, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: My own dim life should teach me this
Last Line: Of vacant darkness and to cease.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tennyson, Lord Alfred; Tennyson, 1st Baron; Tennyson Of Aldworth And Farringford, Baron
Variant Title(s): Life Shall Live For Evermore
Subject(s): Hallam, Arthur Henry (1811-1833); Death; Mourning; Friendship


My own dim life should teach me this,
That life shall live for evermore,
Else earth is darkness at the core,
And dust and ashes all that is;

This round of green, this orb of flame,
Fantastic beauty; such as lurks
In some wild poet, when he works
Without a conscience or an aim.

What then were God to such as I?
'T were hardly worth my while to choose
Of things all mortal, or to use
A little patience ere I die;

'T were best at once to sink to peace,
Like birds the charming serpent draws,
To drop head-foremost in the jaws
Of vacant darkness and to cease.





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