Rupert Brooke

1914 and Other Poems Rupert Brooke

Book Excerpt: ... Dear fool, pity the fool who thought you clever! Dear wisdom, do not mock the fool that missed you! Most fair, --the blind has lost your face for ever! Most foul, --how could I see you while I kissed you?So ... the poor love of fools and blind I've proved you, For, foul or lovely, 'twas a fool that loved you. A MEMORY (From a sonnet-sequence) Somewhile before the dawn I rose, and stept Softly along the dim way to your room, And found you sleeping in the quiet gloom, And holiness about you as you slept. I knelt there; till your waking fingers crept About my head, and held it. I had rest Unhoped this side of Heaven, beneath your breast. I knelt a long time, still; nor even wept. It was great wrong you did me; and for gain Of that poor moment's kindliness, and ease, And sleepy mother-comfort! Child, you know How easily love leaps out to dreams like these, Who has seen them true. And love that's wakened so Takes all too long to lay asleep again