Classic and Contemporary Poetry
INSATIABLENESS, by THOMAS TRAHERNE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: No walls confine! Can nothing hold my mind Last Line: One infinite. Subject(s): Greed; Soul; Avarice; Cupidity | ||||||||
I 1 No walls confine! Can nothing hold my mind? Can I no rest nor satisfaction find? Must I behold eternity And see What things above the heavens be? Will nothing serve the turn? Nor earth, nor seas, nor skies? Till I what lies In time's beginning find: Must I till then forever burn? 2 Not all the crowns; not all the heaps of gold On earth; not all the tales that can be told, Will satisfaction yield to me: Nor tree, Nor shade, nor sun, nor Eden, be A joy: nor gems in gold (Be't pearl or precious stone), Nor spring, nor flowers, Answer my craving powers, Nor anything that eyes behold. 3 Till I what was before all time descry, The world's beginning seems but vanity. My soul doth there long thoughts extend; No end Doth find, or being comprehend: Yet somewhat sees that is The obscure shady face Of endless space, All room within; where I Expect to meet eternal bliss. II 1 This busy, vast, inquiring soul Brooks no control, No limits will endure, Nor any rest: it will all see, Not time alone, but even eternity. What is it? Endless sure. 2 'Tis mean ambition to desire A single world: To many I aspire, Tho one upon another hurl'd; Nor will they all, if they be all confin'd, Delight my mind. 3 This busy, vast, inquiring soul Brooks no control: 'Tis hugely curious too. Each one of all those worlds must be Enrich'd with infinite variety And worth; or 'twill not do. 4 'Tis nor delight nor perfect pleasure To have a purse That hath a bottom of its treasure, Since I must thence endless expense disburse. Sure there's a GOD (for else there's no delight), One infinite. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LA RONDE DU DIABLE by AMY LOWELL WITH MERCY FOR THE GREEDY by ANNE SEXTON MARIE MIGNOT by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |
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