Classic and Contemporary Poetry
POLITICAL PORTRAITS: 6, by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The light is kindling in his eye Last Line: The vanity of fame! Alternate Author Name(s): L. E. L.; Maclean, Letitia | ||||||||
THE light is kindling in his eye, The colour on his cheek; And thoughts, the passionate, the deep, Their charmed silence break; Yet not to pour themselves in song, But in those burning words That come when some chance touch has waked The spirit's secret chords. How eloquent, how beautiful, Like morning in the north Melting away the dreary ice, His noble mind came forth! He stood the centre of the ring, Awakening in each breast Feelings and thoughts, forgotten, though Their noblest and their best. 'Twas but a moment while they own'd The youthful poet's sway; A beacon light upon the hill, To warn and die away. Again his downcast eye was dim, Again his cheek was pale; Again around his beating heart Closed its accustom'd veil. A moment's pause, a moment's praise, Sufficed to change the scene; And careless word and careless laugh Arose where mind had been. So flings the lamp upon the wind Its bright and dying flame: -- I thought, alas, the waste of life, The vanity of fame! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FELICIA HEMANS by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON THE CASTLE OF CHILLON by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON THE FACTORY; 'TIS AN ACCURSED THING! by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON THE FEMALE CONVICT by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON THE MARRIAGE VOW by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON A CHILD SCREENING A DOVE FROM A HAWK, BY STEWARDSON by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON A COMPARISON by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON A GIRL AT HER DEVOTIONS, BY NEWTON by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON A HISTORY OF THE LYRE by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON A LADY'S BEAUTY by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON |
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