GRIEVE for the Man who hither came bereft, And seeking consolation from above; Nor grieve the less that skill to him was left To paint this picture of his lady-love: Can she, a blessed saint, the work approve? And oh, good Brethren of the cowl, a thing So fair, to which with peril he must cling, Destroy in pity, or with care remove. That bloom -- those eyes -- can they assist to bind Thoughts that would stray from Heaven? The dream must cease To be; by Faith, not sight, his soul must live; Else will the enamoured Monk too surely find How wide a space can part from inward peace The most profound repose his cell can give. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SONG OF THE MAD WOMAN'S SON by KAREN SWENSON A PRAYER FOR INDIFFERENCE by FRANCES (FANNY) MACARTNEY GREVILLE CENTENNIAL MEDITATION OF COLUMBIA by SIDNEY LANIER JOHN BROWN OF OSAWATOMIE [OCTOBER 16, 1859] by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN PREPARATORY MEDITATIONS, 1ST SERIES: 8 by EDWARD TAYLOR QUATRAIN: FROM EASTERN SOURCES: 3 by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |