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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE COUNTRY OF 'IF' by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON

Poet Analysis

First Line: THERE IS NOT MUCH, INDEED, THAT I CAN SAY
Last Line: "OH, FOOLS ARE MAD,"" HE SAID, ""YOU COME TOO LATE."

THERE is not much, indeed, that I can say
Since "If" was the sole country of our dreams,
And at its gate one stood to bar the way
To that glad land, those silver-shining streams.

I know, dear Heart, how fair that country is, --
Its rivers flow through meadows green and still,
Its skies bend lovingly o'er lovers' bliss,
No cold winds blow there, and no winters chill.

There would we fain have wandered, thou and I, --
But the strong Angel met us at its gate:
He heeded not Love's prayer, or Passion's cry, --
"Oh, fools are mad," he said, "you come too late."




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