Poem by George Meredith

Modern Love. Sonnet 29. Am I Failing?

Am I failing? For no longer can I cast
A glory round about this head of gold.
Glory she wears, but springing from the mold;
Not like the consecration of the Past!
Is my soul beggared? Something more than earth
I cry for still; I cannot be at peace
In having Love upon a mortal lease.
I cannot take the woman at her worth!
Where is the ancient wealth wherewith I clothed
Our human nakedness, and could endow
With spiritual splendor a white brow
That else had grinned at me the fact I loathed?
A kiss is but a kiss now! and no wave
Of a great flood that whirls me to the sea.
But, as you will! we'll sit contentedly,
And eat our pot of honey on the grave. 

1. Hawarden
2. Modern Love. Sonnet 23. 'Tis Christmas Weather
3. Empdeocles
4. My Theme
5. Modern Love. Sonnet 31. This Golden Head has Wit in it

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