Those moon gilded dancers Prank't like butterflies, Theirs was such lovely jolly It stayed my rapt eyes: But my heart that was pondering Was sadly wise. To be so lighthearted What pain was left behind; What fetters fallen, gave them Unto this airy mind: What dark sins were pardoned: What God was kind! I with long anguish bought Joy that was soon in flight; And wondered what these paid For years of young delight; Ere they were born what tears Through what long night. All these gay cheeks, light feet, Were telling over again, But in a heavenly accent A tale of ancient pain That, the joy spent, must pass To sorrow again. I went into the wilderness Of night to be alone, Holding sorrow and joy Hugged to my heart as one, Lest they fly in those wild ways And life be undone. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ASSAULT HEROIC by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES THE ODYSSEY: THE GARDENS OF ALCINOUS by HOMER AMORETTI: 30 by EDMUND SPENSER NORTH-WEST PASSAGE: 3. IN PORT by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON ONE'S-SELF I SING by WALT WHITMAN LAURENCE BLOOMFIELD IN IRELAND: 2. FINLAY by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM |