Modern Love XII: Not Solely That the Future

Read 'Modern Love XII: Not Solely That the Future' by 'George Meredith' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Modern Love XII: Not Solely That the Future by George Meredith

 Not solely that the Future she destroys, 
And the fair life which in the distance lies 
For all men, beckoning out from dim rich skies: 
Nor that the passing hour's supporting joys 
Have lost the keen-edged flavour, which begat 
Distinction in old times, and still should breed 
Sweet Memory, and Hope,--earth's modest seed, 
And heaven's high-prompting: not that the world is flat 
Since that soft-luring creature I embraced, 
Among the children of Illusion went: 
Methinks with all this loss I were content, 
If the mad Past, on which my foot is based, 
Were firm, or might be blotted: but the whole 
Of life is mixed: the mocking Past will stay: 
And if I drink oblivion of a day, 
So shorten I the stature of my soul.

Form: Sonnet

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