George Henry Boker

October 6, 1823 – January 2, 1890 / United States

Sonnet Ccxlvii:

Love is the source of all my griefs, 'tis true,
But 'tis the source of all my joys as well;
I would not break the glamor of its spell,
To reign the master of this mortal crew.
My joyous seasons have been brief and few;
Nor can I reckon up the days that tell
My many sorrows, nor the cares that dwell
Here at a heart long banished from thy view.
This is my comfort: every grief or joy
That rules today, and every hope I see
Smile through the gloom of boding destiny--
Each thought, sense, memory--aye, the flimsy toy
My fancy plays with, childlike, to destroy--
All we call life, I owe alone to thee.
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