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Bliss Carman · Sappho: One Hundred Lyrics

Poem 55 of 100 · Book I

Soul of sorrow, why this weeping?

— ✻ —

Soul of sorrow, why this weeping?
What immortal grief hath touched thee
With the poignancy of sadness,—
Testament of tears?

Have the high gods deigned to show thee
Destiny, and disillusion
Fills thy heart at all things human,
Fleeting and desired?

Nay, the gods themselves are fettered
By one law which links together
Truth and nobleness and beauty,
Man and stars and sea.

And they only shall find freedom
Who with courage rise and follow
Where love leads beyond all peril,
Wise beyond all words.

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