"Nessun maggior dolore Che ricordarsi del tempo felice Nella miseria." -- Dante. WHEN the gloom the light appalleth -- When no tear-dew ever falleth Downward silently -- When the tired heart, from languor Of Life's poor unmeaning clangour, Droopeth wearily -- When the day, in its uprising, Bringeth nought that's worth the prizing, And the night, all dark and lonely, No star showeth, but clouds only -- I think of thee. Pleasures past, a ghastly vision -- Words and looks but now tradition That thought brings; Holy Kalends of past meetings Rise again, with quick heart-beatings, On spirit wings. For a moment seems the vision A reality Elysian As the joy before the Fall; While I gaze the brightness waneth, Passeth, fadeth -- what remaineth? Ashes all! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MIMNERMUS IN CHURCH by WILLIAM JOHNSON CORY THE SMILING MOUTH by CHARLES D'ORLEANS FOOLIN' WID DE SEASONS by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE DEATH OF AUTUMN by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY A VISION UPON [THIS CONCEIT] OF THE FAERIE QUEENE (2) by WALTER RALEIGH ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 7. TO REVEREND BENJAMIN, LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER by MARK AKENSIDE STANZAS, COMPOSED WHILE WALKING ON WARREN HILL, EARLY SUMMER'S MORNING by BERNARD BARTON |