O, were I loved as I desire to be!
What is there in the great sphere of the earth,
Or range of evil between death and birth,
That I should fear, – if I were loved by thee!
All the inner, all the outer world of pain,
Clear love would pierce and cleave, if thou wert mine;
As I have heard that somewhere in the main
Fresh-water springs come up through bitter brine.
‘I were joy, not fear, clasped hand in hand with thee,
To wait for death – mute – careless of all ills,
Apart upon a mountain, though the surge
Of some new deluge from a thousand hills
Flung leagues of roaring foam into the gorge
Below us, as far on as eye could see.
(Alfred Lord Tennyson)
More Poetry from Alfred Lord Tennyson:
Alfred Lord Tennyson Poems based on Topics: Death & Dying, Love, Fear, Joy & Excitement, Pain, Birth, Good & Evil- Oenone (Alfred Lord Tennyson Poems)
- Come Into the Garde, Maud (Alfred Lord Tennyson Poems)
- Claribel: A Melody (Alfred Lord Tennyson Poems)
- After-Thought (Alfred Lord Tennyson Poems)
- The Coming Of Arthur (Alfred Lord Tennyson Poems)
- Idylls of the King: The Passing of Arthur (excerpt) (Alfred Lord Tennyson Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Love Poems, Death & Dying Poems, Joy & Excitement Poems, Pain Poems, Fear Poems, Birth Poems, Good & Evil PoemsBased on Keywords: fresh-water