Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A TRAVELLER'S IMPRESSION ON THE NILE, by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES


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A TRAVELLER'S IMPRESSION ON THE NILE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When you have lain for weeks together
Last Line: While wisdom waits on turning back.
Alternate Author Name(s): Houghton, 1st Baron; Houghton, Lord
Subject(s): Nile (river)


When you have lain for weeks together
On such a noble river's breast,
And learnt its face in every weather,
And loved its motions and its rest, --

'Tis hard at some appointed place
To check your course and turn your prow,
And objects for themselves retrace
You past with added hope just now.

The silent highway forward beckons,
And all the bars that reason plants
Now disappointed fancy reckons
As foolish fears or selfish wants.

The very rapids, rocks, and shoals
Seem but temptations which the stream
Holds out to energetic souls,
That worthy of its love may seem.

But life is full of limits; heed not
One more or less -- the forward track
May often give you what you need not,
While wisdom waits on turning back.





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