SORROW
Of Sorrow, ’tis as Saints have said—That his ill-savoured lamp shall shedA light to Heaven, when, blown aboutBy the world’s vain and windy rout,The candles of delight burn out.Then usher Sorrow to thy board,Give him such fare as may affordThy single habitation—bestTo meet him half-way in his quest,The importunate and sad-eyed guest.Yet somewhat should he give who tookThy hospitality, for look,His is no random vagrancy,Beneath his rags what hints there beOf a celestial livery.Sweet Sorrow, play a grateful part,Break me the marble of my heartAnd of its fragments pave a streetWhere, to my bliss, myself may meetOne hastening with piercèd feet.
Of Sorrow, ’tis as Saints have said—That his ill-savoured lamp shall shedA light to Heaven, when, blown aboutBy the world’s vain and windy rout,The candles of delight burn out.Then usher Sorrow to thy board,Give him such fare as may affordThy single habitation—bestTo meet him half-way in his quest,The importunate and sad-eyed guest.Yet somewhat should he give who tookThy hospitality, for look,His is no random vagrancy,Beneath his rags what hints there beOf a celestial livery.Sweet Sorrow, play a grateful part,Break me the marble of my heartAnd of its fragments pave a streetWhere, to my bliss, myself may meetOne hastening with piercèd feet.
Of Sorrow, ’tis as Saints have said—That his ill-savoured lamp shall shedA light to Heaven, when, blown aboutBy the world’s vain and windy rout,The candles of delight burn out.
Then usher Sorrow to thy board,Give him such fare as may affordThy single habitation—bestTo meet him half-way in his quest,The importunate and sad-eyed guest.
Yet somewhat should he give who tookThy hospitality, for look,His is no random vagrancy,Beneath his rags what hints there beOf a celestial livery.
Sweet Sorrow, play a grateful part,Break me the marble of my heartAnd of its fragments pave a streetWhere, to my bliss, myself may meetOne hastening with piercèd feet.