Oft shall that flesh imperil and outweary Soul that would stay it in the straiter scope, Oft shall the chill day and the even dreary Force on my heart the frenzy of a hope:— Lo as some ship, outworn and overladen, Strains for the harbour where her sails are furled;— Lo as some innocent and eager maiden Leans o'er the wistful limit of the world, Dreams of the glow and glory of the distance, Wonderful wooing and the grace of tears, Dreams with what eyes and what a sweet insistance Lovers are waiting in the hidden years;— Lo as some venturer, from his stars receiving Promise and presage of sublime emprise, Wears evermore the seal of his believing Deep in the dark of solitary eyes, Yea to the end, in palace or in prison, Fashions his fancies of the realm to be, Fallen from the height or from the deeps arisen, Ringed with the rocks and sundered of the sea;— So even I, and with a pang more thrilling, So even I, and with a hope more sweet, Yearn for the sign, o Christ! of thy fulfilling, Faint for the flaming of thine advent feet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: DIRGE FOR WOLFRAM by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES JEALOUS by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR TO HIS MISTRESS OBJECTING TO HIM NEITHER TOYING OR TALKING by ROBERT HERRICK SPANIARDS' GRAVES AT THE ISLES OF SHOALS by CELIA LEIGHTON THAXTER |