Robert Bridges, ed. (1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. | | | | The Handsome Heart |
Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889) |
| | | BUT 1 tell me, child, your choice; what shall I buy | |
| You?—Father, what you buy me I like best.— | |
| With the sweetest air that said, still plied and pressed, | |
| He swung to his first poised purport of reply. | |
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| What the soul is! which, like Carriers let fly— | 5 |
| Doff darkness, homing nature knows the rest— | |
| To its own fine function, wild and self-instressed, | |
| Falls light as ten years long taught what and why. | |
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| Mannerly-hearted! more than handsome face— | |
| Beauty’s bearing or Muse of mounting vein, | 10 |
| All, in this case, bathed in high hallowing grace— | |
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| Of heaven what boon to buy you, boy, or gain | |
| Not granted? Only—O, on that path you pace | |
| Run all your race, O brace sturdier that young strain! | |
| | | Note 1. G. M. Hopkins. The handsome heart. At a gracious answer. The author was a Jesuit priest, and Father in line 1 is the spiritual title. [back] | | |
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