Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO BEAUTY by JOHN GALSWORTHY

First Line: BEAUTY ON YOUR WINGS - FLYING THE FAR BLUE
Last Line: BEAUTY! FULFIL ME! COOL THE HEART OF MY DESIRE!
Subject(s): BEAUTY;

BEAUTY on your wings -- flying the far blue,
Flower of man's heart whom no God made;
Star, leaf-breath, and gliding shadow,
Fly with me too, awhile!

Bring me knowledge:
How the pansies are made, and the cuckoos' song!
And the little owls, grey in the evening, three on a gate;
The gold-cups a-field, the flight of the swallow;
The eyes of the cow who has calved;
The wind passing from ash-tree to ash-tree!

For thee shall I never cease aching?
Do the gnats ache that dance in the sun?
Do the flowers ache, or the bees rifling their gold?
Is it I only who ache?
Beauty! Fulfil me! Cool the heart of my desire!



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