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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
I WILL OBEY THE STRICTEST LAW OF LOVE, by HENRY DAVID THOREAU Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Last Line: For all that's true & beautiful & good Subject(s): Friendship | |||
I will obey the strictest law of love As if I dealt with cherubim above. I will accept no half gift from my friend By which he thinks for hate to make amend. But every friendly thought Will come to me unbought My friend may do whate'er he will And I shall love him If he doth it from love. But let him do whateer he will I think that I must hate him still If lower motives move. I love not all I love not one alway But that I love is one & all And lasteth ever and aye. I will leave him I hate And cleave to him I love I will forsake my earthly mate And seek my mate above. Though my friends are dull and cold I will be quick and warm. Though their love groweth old Mine shall be new born Though they understand me not I shall be understood Though by them I am forgot Not therefore by the good. My friend can wound me For to him I bare my breast''" But his wounds save me From a foe's embrace But these are honorable scars And fit the wounded heart for Love's more glorious wars. These wounds are not fatal though inflicted on the heart For the heart's not less a vital than a mortal part. Unlike the inferior part The wounded heart Is not repaired with wood But by fresh currents from above Which fit it for a purer love For all that's true & beautiful & good. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOU & I BELONG IN THIS KITCHEN by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA JASON THE REAL by TONY HOAGLAND NO RESURRECTION by ROBINSON JEFFERS CHAMBER MUSIC: 17 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 18 by JAMES JOYCE THE STONE TABLE by GALWAY KINNELL ALMSWOMAN by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN TO AN ENEMY by MAXWELL BODENHEIM SONNET: 10. TO A FRIEND by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES |
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