Poems of James Clarence Mangan (Many hitherto uncollected): Centenary edition: Edited, with preface and notes by D. J. O'Donoghue: Introduction by John Mitchel |
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 | Poems of James Clarence Mangan |  |
266
LIGHT AND SHADOW.
The gayest lot beneath
By Grief is shaded;
Pale Evening sees the wreath
Of Morning faded.
By Grief is shaded;
Pale Evening sees the wreath
Of Morning faded.
Pain slays, or Pleasure cloys;
All mortal morrows
But waken hollow joys
Or lasting sorrows.
All mortal morrows
But waken hollow joys
Or lasting sorrows.
Hope yesternoon was bright,
Earth beamed with Beauty;
But soon came conquering Night,
And claimed his booty.
Earth beamed with Beauty;
But soon came conquering Night,
And claimed his booty.
Life's billows as they roll
Would fain look sunward;
But ever must the soul
Drift darkly onward.
Would fain look sunward;
But ever must the soul
Drift darkly onward.
The sun forsakes the sky,
Sad stars are sovereigns,
Long shadows mount on high,
And Darkness governs.
Sad stars are sovereigns,
Long shadows mount on high,
And Darkness governs.
So Love deserts his throne,
Weary of reigning;
Ah! would he but rule on
Young and unwaning!
Weary of reigning;
Ah! would he but rule on
Young and unwaning!
Pain slays, or Pleasure cloys;
And all our morrows
But waken hollow joys
Or lasting sorrows.
And all our morrows
But waken hollow joys
Or lasting sorrows.
| Poems of James Clarence Mangan | |