Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OUR THRONES DECAY by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL

Poem Explanation

First Line: I SAID MY PLEASURE SHALL NOT MOVE
Last Line: IT TURNS TO DUST BENEATH THE YEARS.
Subject(s): LOVE - COMPLAINTS; PLEASURE; TIME;
I SAID my pleasure shall not move;
It is not fixed in things apart:
Seeking not love—but yet to love—
I put my trust in mine own heart.

I knew the fountain of the deep
Wells up with living joy, unfed:
Such joys the lonely heart may keep,
And love grow rich with love unwed.

Still flows the ancient fount sublime;—
But, ah, for my heart, shed tears, shed tears;
Not it, but love, has scorn of time;
It turns to dust beneath the years.



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