The Fugitive Ideal

William Watson 1858 (Burley in Wharfedale) – 1935 (Rottingdean)



As some most pure and noble face,
Seen in the thronged and hurrying street,
Sheds o'er the world a sudden grace,
A flying odour sweet,
Then, passing, leaves the cheated sense
Baulked with a phantom excellence;

So, on our soul the visions rise
Of that fair life we never led:
They flash a splendour past our eyes,
We start, and they are fled:
They pass, and leave us with blank gaze,
Resigned to our ignoble days.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 14, 2023

23 sec read
368

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABXX CDCDEE
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 409
Words 78
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 6, 6

William Watson

William Watson, was a surgeon in the 105th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers during the American Civil War. more…

All William Watson poems | William Watson Books

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