Songs Before Sunrise by Algernon Charles Swinburne
page 60 of 242 (24%)
page 60 of 242 (24%)
|
Blind clutch to thine, the feet
That felt on earth their first way to thy knee; The little laughter of mouths milk-fed, Now open again to feed on dust among the dead; 7 The fair, strong, young men's strength, Light of life-days and length, And glory of earth seen under and stars above, And years that bring to tame Now the wild falcon fame, Now, to stroke smooth, the dove-white breast of love; The life unlived, the unsown seeds, Suns unbeholden, songs unsung, and undone deeds. 8 Therefore shall man's love be As an own son to thee, And the world's worship of thee for a child; All thine own land as one New-born, a nursing son, All thine own people a new birth undefiled; And all the unborn Italian time, And all its glory, and all its works, thy seed sublime. 9 That henceforth no man's breath, |
|