The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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| X. |
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| XIV. |
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| XVI. |
| XVII. |
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 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
164
XXVI.
ALL THE PAST
Thou dost unite the beauty of all the past
In thy one perfect face.—Was Helen fair?
Then are thine eyes more wonderful and rare,
And tenderer looks towards my look thou dost cast.
Thou hast the shades of Cleopatra's hair:—
Lo! Egypt rises on my vision fast
And the Nile gleams in lucid Southern air.
Next, Iseult bends before the Cornish blast.
In thy one perfect face.—Was Helen fair?
Then are thine eyes more wonderful and rare,
And tenderer looks towards my look thou dost cast.
Thou hast the shades of Cleopatra's hair:—
Lo! Egypt rises on my vision fast
And the Nile gleams in lucid Southern air.
Next, Iseult bends before the Cornish blast.
I am as Antony: I mark thy wit
And dream within thy strange eyes passion-lit:—
Sworded as Tristram next I sweep the ways.
I am as Paris: Troy before me burns;—
Then, suddenly, thy supple figure turns,
And lo! thou look'st at me with Helen's gaze.
And dream within thy strange eyes passion-lit:—
Sworded as Tristram next I sweep the ways.
I am as Paris: Troy before me burns;—
Then, suddenly, thy supple figure turns,
And lo! thou look'st at me with Helen's gaze.
1876.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |