Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HAD I WIST by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: HAD I WIST, WHEN LIFE WAS LIKE A WARM WIND PLAYING
Last Line: HAD I WIST.'
Subject(s): FLOWERS; LIFE; ROSES; ROUNDELS; WIND;
HAD I wist, when life was like a warm wind playing
Light and loud through sundawn and the dew's bright mist,
How the time should come for hearts to sight in saying
'Had I wist' --
Surely not the roses, laughing as they kissed,
Not the lovelier laugh of seas in sunshine swaying,
Should have lured my soul to look thereon and list.

Now the wind is like a soul cast out and praying
Vainly, prayers that pierce not ears when hearts resist:
Now mine own soul sighs, adrift as wind and straying,
'Had I wist.'



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