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THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 94. MICHELANGELO'S KISS by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI

Poet Analysis

First Line: GREAT MICHELANGELO, WITH AGE GROWN BLEAK
Last Line: WHAT HOLDS FOR HER DEATH'S GARNER? AND FOR THEE?

GREAT Michelangelo, with age grown bleak
And uttermost labours, having once o'ersaid
All grievous memories on his long life shed,
This worst regret to one true heart could speak:--
That when, with sorrowing love and reverence meek,
He stooped o'er sweet Colonna's dying bed,
His Muse and dominant Lady, spirit-wed,--
Her hand he kissed, but not her brow or cheek.

O Buonarruoti,--good at Art's fire-wheels
To urge her chariot!--even thus Soul,
Touching at length some sorely-chastened goal,
Earns oftenest but a little: her appeals
Were deep and mute,--lowly her claim. Let be:
What holds for her Death's garner? And for thee?



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