Poems of James Clarence Mangan (Many hitherto uncollected): Centenary edition: Edited, with preface and notes by D. J. O'Donoghue: Introduction by John Mitchel |
 | I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
 | V. |
LIFE IS THE DESERT AND THE SOLITUDE. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
 | Poems of James Clarence Mangan |  |
LIFE IS THE DESERT AND THE SOLITUDE.
Whence this fever?
Whence this burning
Love and Longing?
Ah! forever,
Ever turning,
Ever thronging
Tow'rds the Distance,
Roams each fonder
Yearning yonder,
There, where wander
Golden stars in blest existence!
Whence this burning
Love and Longing?
Ah! forever,
Ever turning,
Ever thronging
Tow'rds the Distance,
Roams each fonder
Yearning yonder,
There, where wander
Golden stars in blest existence!
Thence what fragrant
Airs are blowing!
What rich vagrant
Music flowing!
Angel voices
Tones wherein the
Heart rejoices,
Call from thence from Earth to win thee!
Airs are blowing!
What rich vagrant
Music flowing!
Angel voices
Tones wherein the
Heart rejoices,
Call from thence from Earth to win thee!
269
How yearns and burns for evermore
My heart for thee, thou blessèd shore!
And shall I never see thy fairy
Bowers and palace-gardens near?
Will no enchanted skiff so airy,
Sail from thee to seek me here?
O! undeveloped Land,
Whereto I fain would flee,
What mighty hand shall break each band
That keeps my soul from thee?
In vain I pine and sigh
To trace thy dells and streams:
They gleam but by the spectral sky
That lights my shifting dreams.
Ah! what fair form, flitting through yon green glades,
Dazes mine eye? Spirit, oh! rive my chain!
Woe is my soul! Swiftly the vision fades,
And I start up—waking—to weep in vain!
My heart for thee, thou blessèd shore!
And shall I never see thy fairy
Bowers and palace-gardens near?
Will no enchanted skiff so airy,
Sail from thee to seek me here?
O! undeveloped Land,
Whereto I fain would flee,
What mighty hand shall break each band
That keeps my soul from thee?
In vain I pine and sigh
To trace thy dells and streams:
They gleam but by the spectral sky
That lights my shifting dreams.
Ah! what fair form, flitting through yon green glades,
Dazes mine eye? Spirit, oh! rive my chain!
Woe is my soul! Swiftly the vision fades,
And I start up—waking—to weep in vain!
Hence this fever;
Hence this burning
Love and Longing:
Hence forever,
Ever turning,
Ever thronging,
Tow'rds the Distance,
Roams each fonder
Yearning yonder,
There, where wander
Golden stars in blest existence!
Hence this burning
Love and Longing:
Hence forever,
Ever turning,
Ever thronging,
Tow'rds the Distance,
Roams each fonder
Yearning yonder,
There, where wander
Golden stars in blest existence!
| Poems of James Clarence Mangan | |