Love

Love Lies Bleeding

by Algernon Charles Swinburne 1837–1909

From A Century of Roundels (1883)

Love

Love lies bleeding in the bed whereover
Roses lean with smiling mouths or pleading:
Earth lies laughing where the sun’s dart clove her:
Love lies bleeding.

Stately shine his purple plumes, exceeding
Pride of princes: nor shall maid or lover
Find on earth a fairer sign worth heeding.

Yet may love, sore wounded scarce recover
Strength and spirit again, with life receding:
Hope and joy, wind-winged, about him hover:
Love lies bleeding.

MLA

Swinburne, Algernon Charles. “Love Lies Bleeding.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/swinburne/657/.

Chicago

Swinburne, Algernon Charles. “Love Lies Bleeding.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/swinburne/657/.

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