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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE KINGDOM OF LOVE by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

Poet Analysis

First Line: IN THE DAWN OF THE DAY WHEN THE SEA & AND THE EARTH
Last Line: "WHY, HOME IS THE 'KINGDOM OF LOVE'!"
Subject(s): LOVE;
IN the dawn of the day when the sea and the earth
3Reflected the sunrise above,
I set forth with a heart full of courage and mirth
To seek for the Kingdom of Love.
I asked of a Poet I met on the way
Which cross-road would lead me aright;
And he said: "Follow me, and ere long you shall see
Its glittering turrets of light."
And soon in the distance a city shone fair.
"Look yonder," he said; "How it gleams!"
But alas! for the hopes that were doomed to despair,
It was only the "Kingdom of Dreams."
Then the next man I asked was a gay Cavalier,
And he said: "Follow me, follow me";
And with laughter and song we went speeding along
By the shores of Life's beautiful sea.

Then we came to a valley more tropical far
Than the wonderful vale of Cashmere,
And I saw from a bower a face like a flower
Smile out on the gay Cavalier;
And he said: "We have come to humanity's goal:
Here love and delight are intense."
But alas and alas! for the hopes of my soul—
It was only the "Kingdom of Sense."

As I journeyed more slowly I met on the road
A coach with retainers behind;
And they said: "Follow me, for our Lady's abode
Belongs in that realm, you will find."
'Twas a grand dame of fashion, a newly-made bride,
I followed, encouraged and bold;
But my hopes died away like the last gleams of day,
For we came to the "Kingdom of Gold."

At the door of a cottage I asked a fair maid.
"I have heard of that realm," she replied;
"But my feet never roam from the 'Kingdom of Home,'
So I know not the way," and she sighed.
I looked on the cottage; how restful it seemed!
And the maid was as fair as a dove.
Great light glorified my soul as I cried:
"Why, @3Home@1 is the 'Kingdom of Love'!"



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