by Dylan Thomas (1914 - 1953)
Should lanterns shine Matches base text
Language: English
Should lanterns shine, the holy face, Caught in an octagon of unaccustomed light, Would wither up, an any boy of love Look twice before he fell from grace. The features in their private dark Are formed of flesh, but let the false day come And from her lips the faded pigments fall, The mummy cloths expose an ancient breast. I have been told to reason by the heart, But heart, like head, leads helplessly; I have been told to reason by the pulse, And, when it quickens, alter the actions' pace Till field and roof lie level and the same So fast I move defying time, the quiet gentleman Whose beard wags in Egyptian wind. I have heard may years of telling, And many years should see some change. The ball I threw while playing in the park Has not yet reached the ground.
First published in New Verses, December 1935 as one of "Three Poems", revised 1936 and 1952
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Composition:
- Set to music by Ron Ford (b. 1959), "Should lanterns shine", 1985, from Four songs on texts of Dylan Thomas, no. 4
Text Authorship:
- by Dylan Thomas (1914 - 1953), no title
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 19
Word count: 144