Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LIFE AND DEATH; THE LIFE, by HORACE SMITH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LIFE AND DEATH; THE LIFE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hath momus descended -- the god of mirth
Last Line: But mathews alone has such trophies won!
Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, Horatio
Subject(s): Death; Laughter; Life; Dead, The


HATH Momus descended -- the god of Mirth --
To glad the world with his triumphs thus?
Or is it a mortal, who tastes on earth
An apotheosis rapturous!
While his worshippers hail him with choral cries,
And Laughter's reverberant ecstacies!

He moves like a mental sun, whose light
Scatters around an electric ray,
Which every eye that beholds, is bright,
And every bosom that feels, is gay --
A sun (it is own'd by a nation's lips),
That hath ne'er been dimmed -- never known eclipse!

As this Spirit sits on his throne elate,
They tender him homage from every sphere:
From the rich, the noble, the wise, the great --
Nay, even the King is a courtier here;
And vassal-like makes his crown submit
To the majesty of sceptred Wit.

They press him with flattering words and wiles
To honour and grace their lordly halls,
And impart by his mirth, and songs, and smiles,
A glory and zest to their festivals.
For they know that his presence can banish gloom,
And give light and life to the banquet-room.

On what aching hearts hath he gladness poured!
In scenes unnumbered, what countless throngs,
From the public stage to the festive board,
Have, enraptured, hung on his mirthful songs!
At his wit's incessantly flashing light,
What shouts have startled the ear of night!

Ask you the name of the gifted man,
Whose genius thus could enchant the world;
Whose fame through both the hemispheres ran --
Whose flag of triumph was never furled? --
You ask it not, for you know that none
But MATHEWS alone has such trophies won!





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