Of all that ever in extreme disease
“Sweet Love, sweet cruel Love, have pity!” cried,
Count me the humblest, hold me least of these
That wear the red heart crumpled in the side,
In heaviest durance, dreaming or awake,
Filling the dungeon with their piteous woe;
Not that I shriek not till the dungeon shake,
“Oh, God! Oh, let me out! Oh, let me go!”
But that my chains throughout their iron length
Make such a golden clank upon my ear,
But that I would not, boasted I the strength,
Up with a terrible arm and out of here
Where thrusts my morsel daily through the bars
This tall, oblivious gaoler eyed with stars.
I am busy working to bring Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Of all that ever in extreme disease" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you later.
In the meantime, I invite you to explore the poem's themes, structure, and meaning. You can also check out the gallery for other musical arrangements or learn more about Edna St. Vincent Millay's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "Of all that ever in extreme disease" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.