When I peruse the conquer'd fame of heroes and the victories of mighty generals, I do not envy the generals, Nor the President in his Presidency, nor the rich in his great house, But when I hear of the brotherhood of lovers, how it was with them, How together through life, through dangers, odium, unchanging, long and long, Through youth and through middle and old age, how unfaltering, how affectionate and faithful they were, Then I am pensive -- I hastily walk away fill'd with the bitterest envy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WERENA MY HEART'S LICHT I WAD DEE by GRISELL BAILLIE CARELESS CONTENT by JOHN BYROM TO THOMAS MOORE (1) by GEORGE GORDON BYRON SONNET TO THE RIVER OTTER by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE FONTENOY, 1745: 2. AFTER THE BATTLE, EARLY DAWN, CLARE COAST by EMILY LAWLESS THE PASSIONATE MAN'S PILGRIMAGE by WALTER RALEIGH |