THOUGHTFUL nights, and restless waking, O the pains that we endure! Broken faith, unkind forsaking, Ever doubting, never sure. Hopes deceiving, vain endeavours; What a race has love to run! False protesting, fleeting favours; Every, every way undone. Still complaining, and defending, Each to love, yet ne'er agree; Fears tormenting, passion rending; O the racks of jealousy! From such painful ways of living, Ah! how sweet, could love be free; Still presenting, still receiving, Fierce, immortal ecstasy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE COMING OF WISDOM WITH TIME by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS GERONTION by THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT CHANGE by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS THE DAYS GONE BY by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY TO THE UNIMPLORED BELOVED by EDWARD SHANKS |