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Francis Thompson - House Of BondageFrancis Thompson - House Of Bondage
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I When I perceive Love`s heavenly reaping still Regard perforce the clouds` vicissitude, That the fixed spirit loves not when it will, But craves its seasons of the flawful blood; When I perceive that the high poet doth Oft voiceless stray beneath the uninfluent stars, That even Urania of her kiss is loath, And Song`s brave wings fret on their sensual bars; When I perceived the fullest-sail-ed sprite Lag at most need upon the leth-ed seas, The provident captainship oft voided quite, And lam-ed lie deep-draughted argosies;   I scorn myself, that put for such strange toys   The wit of man to purposes of boys.           II The spirit`s ark sealed with a little clay, Was old ere Memphis grew a memory; The hand pontifical to break away That seal what shall surrender?  Not the sea Which did englut great Egypt and his war, Nor all the desert-drown-ed sepulchres. Love`s feet are stained with clay and travel-sore, And dusty are Song`s lucent wing and hairs. O Love, that must do courtesy to decay, Eat hasty bread standing with loins up-girt, How shall this stead thy feet for their sore way? Ah, Song, what brief embraces balm thy hurt!   Had Jacob`s toil full guerdon, casting his   Twice-seven heaped years to burn in Rachel`s kiss?
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