Emily Pfeiffer Poems

I.
PEACE to the odalisque, the facile slave,
Whose unrespective love rewards the brave,
Or cherishes the coward; she who yields
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Athena! I, whom love did once embolden
To worship in that temple wh ...
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SORROW, since I perforce must dwell with thee,
Being as thou art, no transient guest, but bold
As cunning to invade my heart, and hold
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A maiden of a race that heralds glory in, loved one
Whose single arm had wrought more deeds than on their blazon shone;
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BREAK, break, O heart! upon this stony shore
Of Time, for not the most tormented sea
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Unfathomed depths of pure humanity
Speak in that face, and those enfolding hands
Laid lightly on the clinging child who stands
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FROM sea to shore, from river-bed to strand,
O'er plain and mountain, Life hath held its way,
Clothed in new revelation day by day,
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HUNGER that strivest in the restless arms
Of the sea-flower, that drivest rooted things
To break their moorings, that unfoldest wings
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THOU, the young world's first dead, unwept shall be
Through storied time, pure spirit, called to rise
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Oh Love, on thee a burden has been laid,
Now in this latter day of doubt and dread!
Be pure, that thou be strong, and unafraid
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