How steep the stairs within King’s houses are
For exile-wearied feet as mine to tread,
And O how salt and bitter is the bread
Which falls from this Hound’s table, – better far
That I had died in the red ways of war,
Or that the gate of Florence bare my head,
Than to live thus, by all things comraded
Which seek the essence of my soul to mar.
‘Curse God and die: what better hope than this?
He hath forgotten thee in all the bliss
Of his gold city, and eternal day’ –
Nay peace: behind my prison’s blinded bars
I do possess what none can take away,
My love and all the glory of the stars.
(Oscar Wilde)
More Poetry from Oscar Wilde:
Oscar Wilde Poems based on Topics: War & Peace, Success, Happiness, Cities- Ballad of Reading Gaol II (Oscar Wilde Poems)
- Ballad of Reading Gaol - I (Oscar Wilde Poems)
- The Teacher Of Wisdom (Oscar Wilde Poems)
- Endymion (Oscar Wilde Poems)
- Serenade (Oscar Wilde Poems)
- Lotus Leaves (Oscar Wilde Poems)