Death & Dying
A Study from Memory
From Sonnets, and Sonnets on English Dramatic Poets (1590-1650)
If that be yet a living soul which here
Seemed brighter for the growth of numbered springs
And clothed by Time and Pain with goodlier things
Each year it saw fulfilled a fresh fleet year,
Death can have changed not aught that made it dear;
Half humorous goodness, grave-eyed mirth on wings
Bright-balanced, blither-voiced than quiring strings;
Most radiant patience, crowned with conquering cheer;
A spirit inviolable that smiled and sang
By might of nature and heroic need
More sweet and strong than loftiest dream or deed;
A song that shone, a light whence music rang
High as the sunniest heights of kindliest thought;
All these must be, or all she was be nought.
Cite this poem
MLA
Swinburne, Algernon Charles. “A Study from Memory.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/swinburne/10/.
Chicago
Swinburne, Algernon Charles. “A Study from Memory.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/swinburne/10/.
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