George Meredith (1828-1909)Modern Love XXX | |||
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What are we first? First, animals; and next Intelligences at a leap; on whom Pale lies the distant shadow of the tomb, And all that draweth on the tomb for text.
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Into which state comes Love, the crowning sun: Beneath whose light the shadow loses form. We are the lords of life, and life is warm. Intelligence and instinct now are one.
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But nature says: ‘My children most they seem When they least know me: therefore I decree That they shall suffer.’ Swift doth young Love flee, And we stand wakened, shivering from our dream.
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Then if we study Nature we are wise. Thus do the few who live but with the day: The scientific animals are they. Lady, this is my sonnet to your eyes. | |||
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