Analysis of Love is Enough

Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1855 (Janesville) – 1919



Love is enough. Let us not ask for gold.
Wealth breeds false aims, and pride and selfishness;
In those serene, Arcadian days of old
Men gave no thought to princely homes and dress.
The gods who dwelt on fair Olympia's height
Lived only for dear love and love's delight.
Love is enough.

Love is enough. Why should we care for fame?
Ambition is a most unpleasant guest:
It lures us with the glory of a name
Far from the happy haunts of peace and rest.
Let us stay here in this secluded place
Made beautiful by love's endearing grace!
Love is enough.

Love is enough. Why should we strive for power?
It brings men only envy and distrust.
The poor world's homage pleases but an hour,
And earthly honours vanish in the dust.
The grandest lives are ofttimes desolate;
Let me be loved, and let who will be great.
Love is enough.

Love is enough. Why should we ask for more?
What greater gift have gods vouchsafed to men?
What better boon of all their precious store
Than our fond hearts that love and love again?
Old love may die; new love is just as sweet;
And life is fair and all the world complete:
Love is enough!


Scheme axaxbbC dedeffC ghghxxC ijijkkC
Poetic Form
Metre 1101111111 1111010100 0101100111 1111110101 01111101001 1101110101 1101 1101111111 0101010101 1111010101 1101011101 1111010101 1100110101 1101 11011111110 1111010001 01110101110 010110001 010111100 1111011111 1101 1101111111 110111111 1101111101 11011110101 1111111111 0111010101 1101
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,114
Words 210
Sentences 22
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 7, 7, 7, 7
Lines Amount 28
Letters per line (avg) 31
Words per line (avg) 7
Letters per stanza (avg) 217
Words per stanza (avg) 52
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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 13, 2023

1:04 min read
115

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was an American author and poet. more…

All Ella Wheeler Wilcox poems | Ella Wheeler Wilcox Books

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