Tristesse
Tristesse
Original Text
Arachnia, Occasional Verses (London: Macmillan, 1904: 163. Internet Archive.
1Lost is my strength, my mirth, the joy intense
2 Of very life, the comrades and the zest; --
3 All, even to my pride, that unsuppressed
4Had wrought my spirit to self-confidence.
5When truth I recognised, my raptured sense
6 Dreamed I had found a love to be caressed;
7 But palling as I clasped her to my breast
8Loathing and ashes were my recompense.
9Yet is she still divine; and they that curled
10 The lip in sight of her have dulled their ears
11To wisdom's echoes in our under-world.
12 God speaks: perforce my naked soul replies; --
13 One thing of all is left me. -- that mine eyes
14Have sometimes been not unacquaint with tears.
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
Data entry: Sharine Leung
RPO Edition
2012
Rhyme
Form