Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ROSA MUNDI, by ARTHUR WILLIAM SYMONS


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ROSA MUNDI, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: An angel of pale desire
Last Line: To the angel of pale desire.
Subject(s): Love - Nature Of


An angel of pale desire
Whispered me in the ear
(Ah me, the white-rose mesh
Of the flower-soft, rose-white flesh!)
"Love, they say, is a fire:
Lo, the soft love that is here!

"Love, they say, is a pain
Infinite as the soul,
Ever a longing to be
Love's, to infinity,
Ever a longing in vain
After a vanishing goal.

"Lo, the soft joy that I give
Here in the garden of earth;
Come where the rose-tree grows,
Thine is the garden's rose,
Weave rose-garlands, and live
In ease, in indolent mirth."

Then I saw that the rose was fair,
And the mystical rose afar,
A glimmering shadow of light,
Paled to a star in the night;
And the angel whispered "Beware,
Love is a wandering star.

"Love is a raging fire,
Choose thou content instead;
Thou, the child of the dust,
Choose thou a delicate Lust."
"Thou hast chosen!" I said
To the angel of pale desire.





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