1. could

  • Falsehood of Thee could I suppose

    Falsehood of Thee could I suppose

    'Twould undermine the Sill

    To which my Faith pinned Block by Block

    Her Cedar Citadel.

  • How happy I was if I could forget

    How happy I was if I could forget

    To remember how sad I am

    Would be an easy adversity

    But the recollecting of Bloom


    Keeps making November difficult

    Till I who was almost bold

    Lose my way like a little Child

    And perish of the cold.

  • I could bring You Jewels — had I a mind to —

    I could bring You Jewels — had I a mind to —

    But You have enough — of those —

    I could bring You Odors from St. Domingo —

    Colors — from Vera Cruz —


    Berries of the Bahamas — have I —

    But this little Blaze

    Flickering to itself — in the Meadow —

    Suits Me — more than those —

    ...

  • I could die — to know —

    I could die — to know —

    'Tis a trifling knowledge —

    News-Boys salute the Door —

    Carts — joggle by —

    Morning's bold face — stares in the window —

    Were but mine — the Charter of the least Fly —


    Houses hunch the House

    With their Brick Shoulders —

    Coals — from a Rolling Load —...

  • I could not drink it, Sweet,

    I could not drink it, Sweet,

    Till You had tasted first,

    Though cooler than the Water was

    The Thoughtfullness of Thirst.

  • I could not prove the Years had feet —

    I could not prove the Years had feet —

    Yet confident they run

    Am I, from symptoms that are past

    And Series that are done —


    I find my feet have further Goals —

    I smile upon the Aims

    That felt so ample — Yesterday —

    Today's — have vaster claims —


    I do not doubt the self...

  • I could suffice for Him, I knew —

    I could suffice for Him, I knew —

    He — could suffice for Me —

    Yet Hesitating Fractions — Both

    Surveyed Infinity —


    "Would I be Whole" He sudden broached —

    My syllable rebelled —

    'Twas face to face with Nature — forced —

    'Twas face to face with God —


    Withdrew the Sun —...

  • I got so I could take his name —

    I got so I could take his name —

    Without — Tremendous gain —

    That Stop-sensation — on my Soul —

    And Thunder — in the Room —


    I got so I could walk across

    That Angle in the floor,

    Where he turned so, and I turned — how —

    And all our Sinew tore —


    I got so I could stir the...

  • I know lives, I could miss

    I know lives, I could miss

    Without a Misery —

    Others — whose instant's wanting —

    Would be Eternity —


    The last — a scanty Number —

    'Twould scarcely fill a Two —

    The first — a Gnat's Horizon

    Could easily outgrow —

  • I learned — at least — what Home could be —

    I learned — at least — what Home could be —

    How ignorant I had been

    Of pretty ways of Covenant —

    How awkward at the Hymn


    Round our new Fireside — but for this —

    This pattern — of the Way —

    Whose Memory drowns me, like the Dip

    Of a Celestial Sea —


    What Mornings in our...