University of Oxford
Browse

90129: 'When late I viewed . . .'

Download (0.65 kB)
online resource
posted on 2024-04-23, 10:08 authored by First World War Poetry Digital Archive Project Team

When late I viewed the gardens of rich men,
Where throve my darling blossoms plenteously,
With others whose rare glories dazed my ken,
I was not teased with envious misery.
Enough for me to see and recognize;
Then bear away sweet names upon my tongue,
Scents in my breath, and colours in my eyes.
Their owners watch them die: I keep them young.
But when more spacious pleasances I trod,
And saw their thousand buds, but might not kiss
Though loving like a lover, sire, and God,
Sad was the yearning of my avarice.
The rich man gives his parting guest one bloom,
But God hath vouchsafed my meek longing---whom?

History

Creator

Owen, Wilfred (1893-1918)

Date

1913-07 1913-08

Source

The Complete Poems and Fragments of Wilfred Owen edited by Jon Stallworthy first published by Chatto & Windus, 1983. #45, CPF vol. 1, p. 69, vol. 2, p. 211 BL 1. 118 OEF/ELG; CL. 193

Type

Poem

Rights

The Estate of Wilfred Owen. The Complete Poems and Fragments of Wilfred Owen edited by Jon Stallworthy first published by Chatto & Windus, 1983. Preliminaries, introductory, editorial matter, manuscripts and fragments omitted.

Usage metrics

    The Wilfred Owen Collection

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC