Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BARD, by ELIZABETH OAKES PRINCE SMITH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BARD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It can not be, the baffled heart, in vain
Last Line: And ye, charmed with the voice, gave but a stone instead.
Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, Seba (e. Oakes), Mrs.; Oakes-smith, Elizabeth
Subject(s): Grief; Hearts; Poetry & Poets; Soul; Sorrow; Sadness


It can not be, the baffled heart, in vain,
May seek, amid the crowd, its throbs to hide;
Ten thousand other kindred pangs may bide,
Yet not the less will our own griefs complain.
Chained to our rock, the vulture's gory stain
And tearing beak is every moment rife,
Renewing pangs that end but with our life.
Thence bursteth forth the gushing voice of song,
The soul's deep anguish thence an utterance finds,
Appealing to all hearts: and human minds
Bow down in awe: thence doth the Bard belong
Unto all times: the laurel steeped in wrong
Unsought is his: his soul demanded bread,
And ye, charmed with the voice, gave but a stone instead.





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