WHEN AS the watches of the night had grown To that deep loneliness where dreams begin, I saw how Love, with visage worn and thin, -- With wings close-bound, went through a town alone. Death-pale he showed, and inly seemed to moan With sore desire some dolorous place to win; Sharp brambles passed had streaked his dazzling skin, -- His bright feet eke were gashed with many a stone. And, as he went, I, sad for piteousness, Might see how men from door and gate would move To stay his steps; or womankind would press, With wistful eyes, to balconies above, And bid him enter in. But Love not less, Mournful, kept on his way. Ah! hapless Love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FAMILY by KATHERINE MANSFIELD DOMESDAY BOOK: THE CORONER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS TWO OF A TRADE by SAMUEL WILLOUGHBY DUFFIELD THE IRISH RAPPAREES; A PEASANT BALLAD OF 1691 by CHARLES GAVAN DUFFY WINTER: MY SECRET by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI LINES ON THE MONUMENT OF GIUSEPPE MAZZINI by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE |