Life and death

William Baylebridge 1883 (Brisbane) – 1942



This world is driven by two contending powers--
Love, that coerceth Heaven to dwell with dust,
And that dire pledge of Hell's self-perjured Lust--
And as we list must Heaven and Hell be ours.
Not light the election runs: lo, each devours
That savour set in each, while equal gust
Each uses; yet our choice support we must--
Blest wine or, this rejected, sweat that sours.
Love, oft through Hell that seems, acclaims what Heaven!
But Lust, through seeming Heaven, with easy breath
Slides on to Hell, how soon, how richly given!
If Love to heavenly state so quickeneth,
While Lust must e'er in cheating Hell be shriven,
They sponsor what, these powers, but Life and Death?

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

36 sec read
71

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABBAABBACDCDCD
Closest metre Iambic hexameter
Characters 678
Words 119
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

William Baylebridge

William Baylebridge, born Charles William Blocksidge, was an Australian poet and short-story writer. Blocksidge was born in Brisbane, Queensland, the son of George Henry Blocksidge, an auctioneer and estate agent. more…

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