Out of the depths of darkling life where sin Laughs piteously that sorrow should not know Her own name, nor woe be counted woe Where hate and craft and lust make drearier din Than sounds through dreams that grief holds revel in; What charm or joy-bells ringing, streams that flow, Winds that blow healing in each note they blow, Is this that the outer darkness hears begin? O sweetest heart of all thy time save one, Star seen for love's sake nearest to the sun, Hung lamplike o'er a dense and doleful city, Not Shakespeare's very spirit, howe'er more great, Than thine toward man was more compassionate, Nor gave Christ praise from lips more sweet with pity. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DAYBREAK by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS ODE TO SIMPLICITY by WILLIAM COLLINS (1721-1759) THE GIRLS' LOT by AGATHIAS SCHOLASTICUS MOUNT PIERUS by ANTIPATER OF SIDON MAY 30, 1893 by JOHN KENDRICK BANGS ON THE BACKWARDNESS OF THE SPRING 1771 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |