The sickness of desire, that in dark days Looks on the imagination of despair, Forgetteth man, and stinteth God his praise; Nor but in sleep findeth a cure for care. Incertainty that once gave scope to dream Of laughing enterprise and glory untold, Is now a blackness that no stars redeem, A wall of terror in a night of cold. Fool! thou that has impossibly desired And now impatiently despairest, see How nought is changed: Joy's wisdom is attired Splendid for others' eyes if not for thee: Not love or beauty or youth from earth is fled: If they delite thee not, 'tis thou art dead. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MONA LISA by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE AN INVITATION TO A DRINKFEST by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS THE SAILOR; A ROMAIC BALLAD by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM THE IDEAL GENERAL by ARCHILOCHUS COWBOY'S COMPLAINT by SQUIRE OMAR BARKER WHAT SAID THE LITTLE ADMIRAL? by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |