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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  813. What the Bullet sang

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

Bret Harte. 1839–1902

813. What the Bullet sang

O JOY of creation, 
        To be! 
O rapture, to fly 
        And be free! 
Be the battle lost or won,         5
Though its smoke shall hide the sun, 
I shall find my love—the one 
        Born for me! 
 
I shall know him where he stands 
        All alone,  10
With the power in his hands 
        Not o’erthrown; 
I shall know him by his face, 
By his godlike front and grace; 
I shall hold him for a space  15
        All my own! 
 
It is he—O my love! 
        So bold! 
It is I—all thy love 
        Foretold!  20
It is I—O love, what bliss! 
Dost thou answer to my kiss? 
O sweetheart! what is this 
        Lieth there so cold?