Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BIRTH AND DEATH by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: BIRTH AND DEATH, TWIN-SISTER AND TWIN-BROTHER
Last Line: BIRTH AND DEATH.
Subject(s): BIRTH; DEATH; ROUNDELS; CHILD BIRTH; MIDWIFERY; DEAD, THE;
Birth and death, twin-sister and twin-brother,
Night and day, on all things that draw breath,
Reign, while time keeps friends with one another
Birth and death.

Each brow-bound with flowers diverse of wreath,
Heaven they hail as father, earth as mother,
Faithful found above them and beneath.

Smiles may lighten tears, and tears may smother
Smiles, for all that joy or sorrow saith:
Joy nor sorrow knows not from each other
Birth and death.


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