George Santayana (1863-1952)
There may be Chaos still around the World
1There may be chaos still around the world,
2This little world that in my thinking lies;
3For mine own bosom is the paradise
4Where all my life's fair visions are unfurled.
5Within my nature's shell I slumber curled,
6Unmindful of the changing outer skies,
7Where now, perchance, some new-born Eros flies,
8Or some old Cronos from his throne is hurled.
9I heed them not; or if the subtle night
10Haunt me with deities I never saw,
11I soon mine eyelid's drowsy curtain draw
12To hide their myriad faces from my sight.
13They threat in vain; the whirlwind cannot awe
14A happy snow-flake dancing in the flaw.
Notes
7] Eros: Greek love deity, son of Aphrodite.
8] Cronos: one of the Titans, dethroned by Zeus, head of the Greek pantheon.
14] flaw: wind squall.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: George Santayana, Sonnets and Other Verses (New York: Stone and Kimball, 1896): 16. PS 2771 1896 Robarts Library
First publication date:
1896
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: 2003
Recent editing: 1:2003/10/4
Form: sonnet
Rhyme: abbaabbacddcdd
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