Analysis of Love, and Be Wise

John Boyle O'Reilly 1844 (Dowth) – 1890 (Boston)



NOT on the word alone
Let love depend;
Neither by actions done
Choose ye the friend.

Let the slow years fly—
These are the test;
Never to peering eye
Open the breast.

Psyche won hopeless woe,
Reaching to take;
Wait till your lilies grow
Up from the lake.

Gather words patiently;
Harvest the deed;
Let the winged years fly,
Sifting the seed.

Judging by harmony,
Learning by strife;
Seeking in unity
Precept and life.

Seize the supernal—
Prometheus dies;
Take the external
On trust—and be wise.


Scheme XAXA BCBC DEDE FGBG FHFH BIXI
Poetic Form Quatrain 
Metre 110101 1101 101101 1101 10111 1101 101101 1001 101101 1011 111101 1101 101100 1001 10111 1001 101100 1011 100100 101 101 11 10010 11011
Closest metre Iambic dimeter
Characters 503
Words 88
Sentences 7
Stanzas 6
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4
Lines Amount 24
Letters per line (avg) 16
Words per line (avg) 4
Letters per stanza (avg) 65
Words per stanza (avg) 14
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

26 sec read
49

John Boyle O'Reilly

John Boyle O'Reilly was an Irish-born poet, journalist and fiction writer. more…

All John Boyle O'Reilly poems | John Boyle O'Reilly Books

0 fans

Discuss this John Boyle O'Reilly poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Love, and Be Wise" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/22020/love%2C-and-be-wise>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    May 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    6
    days
    4
    hours
    11
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    She recited a poem called "The Hill We Climb" in honor of the inauguration of President Joe Biden.
    A Amanda Gorman
    B Angela Geisman
    C Anita Goldman
    D Samantha Goodman