Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SHAKESPEARE, by EDWARD L. PONTZ First Line: Thou livest still: some modicum of time Last Line: None but thyself thyself could valuate. Subject(s): Dramatists; Imagination; Plays & Playwrights; Poetry & Poets; Praise; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Writing & Writers; Fancy | ||||||||
I Thou livest still: some modicum of time A changing vestment chafed thy sprite august; Cabined and cramped thy gesture; 'twas the lime That mires the lark: thou canst not change to dust. Thy Song is thou: a moment things are things, And then are memories; what breathing form To me is real as thy voice that sings Unfading wisdom, beauty, shine and storm? Thy Thought is thou: and if the body gross 'Gainst sublimated mind is valued not, What friends to me, how actual and close, The changeless children of thy fancy got! The time-ghosts pass; thine altar's blazes fill A pensive world with light: thou livest still. II One needs thy art for thine own art's expounding; One needs thy tongue to tongue thy proper praise: Thy tongue and art flame forth so high astounding, Thy votaries can only gape and gaze. The wizardry of thy imagination Could play the light upon thy creatures best: Project fat laughter, heart-sick contemplation, Black jealousy, mad dotage, and the rest. Showman supreme of magic show and human; Of glade enchanted, market, palace, war; How deft thy wand o'er fairy, love and woman! How thou canst twirl a flower, king or star! Thy stature and thy span now loom so great, None but thyself thyself could valuate. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE IMAGINED COPPERHEAD by ANDREW HUDGINS A SICK CHILD by RANDALL JARRELL IMAGINARY TROUBLE by JOHN KENDRICK BANGS EVERYTHING THAT ACTS IS ACTUAL by DENISE LEVERTOV ON THE MEETING OF GARCIA LORCA AND HART CRANE by PHILIP LEVINE |
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