I agree with Charlie. The life of the poem written "in the heavens" is
longer than the life of the individual which is written more or less "in
the sand", and from that timeless place ("Where...") the example of the
lovers become a model for future lovers. The comparison I think of is
the ending of Donne's Canonization, where the "hymns" like the one that
Donne is writing become the proof of the lovers' sainthood and they
become divine mediators, begging a pattern or idea of love for future
lovers to copy in their own lives. But the pattern that they're asked
for is already provided in the text of the poem itself. Bill Oram
>>> [log in to unmask] 02/20/04 09:27AM >>>
Leigh Harrison
> Our love shall later renew [our] life
> Life shall later renew our love
> /Later life/ (think Yeats) shall renew itself
> Later life shall renew our love
> Life will renew later
> Our love shall renew Life [i.e. life altogether for "all the world"]
~
I love this kind of puzzle! Thanks for bringing it up. Your list looks
pretty comprehensive, but might 'later life' refer to those (like us)
who
are born in later ages, who may find our own loves renewed by
contemplation
of theirs? The kind of thing you get in Shakespeare's
So, till the judgment that yourself arise,
You live in this, and dwell in lovers' eyes.
One for the pot, anyway.
Charlie
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