Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LABOUR AND LOVE by EDMUND WILLIAM GOSSE

First Line: LABOUR AND LOVE! THERE ARE NO OTHER LAWS
Last Line: SUBMERGED BENEATH THE INEXORABLE WAVE.
Subject(s): SCIENCE; SCIENTISTS;

LABOUR and love! there are no other laws
To rule the liberal action of that soul
Which faith hath set beneath thy brief control,
Or lull the empty fear that racks and gnaws;

Labour! then, like a rising moon, the cause
Of life shall light thine hour from pole to pole;
Thou shalt taste health of purpose, and the roll
Of simple joys unwind without a pause.

Love! and thy heart shall cease to question why
Its beating pulse was set to rock and rave;
Find but another heart this side the grave

To soothe and cling to, -- thou hast life's reply.
Labour and love! then fade without a sigh,
Submerged beneath the inexorable wave.



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