The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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| X. |
| XI. |
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| XIV. |
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| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
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A CONTRAST
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| XI. |
 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
181
A CONTRAST
SONNET
Poor was the bower of love:—within the bower
One most divine with girlhood's swanlike grace;
Lips proudly curved to scorn of all things base,
Passion's bright bow, yet lovelier than a flower.
No silken canopy,—yet within this place
The holiest sense of great Love's sovereign power,
Who there had prisoned for one priceless hour
Immortal beauty in a mortal face.
One most divine with girlhood's swanlike grace;
Lips proudly curved to scorn of all things base,
Passion's bright bow, yet lovelier than a flower.
No silken canopy,—yet within this place
The holiest sense of great Love's sovereign power,
Who there had prisoned for one priceless hour
Immortal beauty in a mortal face.
What marvels can the eternal god achieve,
The god of love, who still on man bestows
In hut or cottage, measureless delight.
In every woman there's a hint of Eve;
In every flower a soupçon of the rose;
In every star one jewel of the night.
The god of love, who still on man bestows
In hut or cottage, measureless delight.
In every woman there's a hint of Eve;
In every flower a soupçon of the rose;
In every star one jewel of the night.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |