WHENCE cometh discontent? Let fortune's Guest, When tired of ease, ambition's part assume; On honor's field then let him cull the bloom, While friendship lends good luck a keener zest. And yet his bosom hides a vague unrest. The one thing wanting seems afar to loom. With Tantalus he shares a tedious doom, Pursuing ever some elusive quest. Wouldst thou absorb the Universal Soul? Must Life Divine thy private drama play? Confined to narrow selfhood's petty role, It chafes and wears the weary heart away. Give life free course. Give love entire control. Give all thou hast. Good measure God will pay. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GLAMOUR by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SYMPHONIC STUDIES (AFTER ROBERT SCHUMANN) by EMMA LAZARUS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: EPILOGUE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE DECISION (APRIL 14, 1861) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE CHARGE OF THE BREAD BRIGADE by EZRA POUND THE POWER OF ART by GEORGE SANTAYANA |