Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET: HOUSE OF BONDAGE, by FRANCIS THOMPSON


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SONNET: HOUSE OF BONDAGE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When I perceive love's heavenly reaping still
Last Line: Twice-seven heaped years to burn in rachel's kiss?
Subject(s): Egypt


I

WHEN I perceive Love's heavenly reaping still
Regard perforce the clouds' vicissitude,
That the fixed spirit loves not when it will,
But craves its seasons of the flawful blood;
When I perceive that the high poet doth
Oft voiceless stray beneath the uninfluent stars,
That even Urania of her kiss is loth,
And Song's brave wings fret on their sensual bars;
When I perceive the fullest-sailed sprite
Lag at most need upon the lethed seas,
The provident captainship oft voided quite,
And lamed lie deep-draughted argosies;
I scorn myself, that put for such strange toys
The wit of man to purposes of boys.

II

THE spirit's ark sealed with a little clay
Was old ere Memphis grew a memory;
The hand pontifical to break away
That seal what shall surrender? Not the sea
Which did englut great Egypt and his war,
Nor all the desert-drowned sepulchres.
Love's feet are stained with clay and travel-sore,
And dusty are Song's lucent wing and hairs.
O Love, that must do courtesy to decay,
Eat hasty bread standing with loins up-girt,
How shall this stead thy feet for their sore way?
Ah, Song, what brief embraces balm thy hurt!
Had Jacob's toil full guerdon, casting his
Twice-seven heaped years to burn in Rachel's kiss?





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