What can he give who has given his all, Thrown his one wreath when the curtain arose? Hands, must they lag when the heart overflows, Empty of gifts at the curtain's last fall? What can he give who has given his heart, Wagered for love all a lifetime can gain? Henceforth is all he would offer in vain -- Fruitless since all was bestowed at the start? Gone is his wreath; but he joins with the rest, Gilding his laurel with loudest encore. Lost is his heart; who, then, fain would give more, Tested, triumphant, can cry, "Love is best." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LIGHT [AND LOVE] by FRANCIS WILLIAM BOURDILLON THE AUTHOR TO HER BOOK by ANNE BRADSTREET HER DILEMMA; IN CHURCH by THOMAS HARDY WOMAN'S BEAUTY by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 34. FAIRY LAND by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) MEDITATION by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE NATALITIUM: MARTIJ 13, 1643 by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |