Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO ROMANCE: AN ODE, by CHARLES WHARTON STORK


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO ROMANCE: AN ODE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Gleam of lost wonder
Last Line: Deathless romance!
Subject(s): Love; Passion


I

Gleam of lost wonder,
Too gorgeous to fade,
Roll of rich thunder
We hear unafraid,
Hot heart of chivalry,
Wine of all revelry,
Wild spark of deviltry,
Flame to our aid!

No more the fashion?
Zounds! 'Tis a lie.
Yours is a passion
Always beat high.
Fools doubt the truth of it,
See the uncouth of it;
Nay, the glad youth of it
Never shall die.

Sing, then, Romance, for us --
Fact is but chaff --
Drink, dice and dance for us,
Nothing by half!
Turn to frustration,
Time's usurpation,
Dare all damnotion,
Laugh the old laugh!

II

Chargers are dashing
The barriers along,
Lances are crashing
Fierce through the throng.
Ladies lean breathless,
Cowards die scathless;
Heroes are deathless,
Enshrined in a song.

Look! Is it Arden
Blesses our sight,
Verona's garden,
Venice at night:
Rosalind or Celia,
Juliet, Ophelia,
Faithful Cordelia,
Beckoning so bright?

Then -- oh, D'Artagnan
In danger serene,
Where may companion
More dauntless be seen?
You that fought hard in all
Quarrels, could guard in all
Wiles of the cardinal
Your beloved queen.

Spice islands nestle,
Southern seas glow.
Mark yonder vessel
With ports in a row!
Lean are the flanks of her.
We'll have small thanks of her,
Walk the red planks of her,
Sharks wait below.

III

Pour us your potion,
Romance! Not a land --
Nay, nor wide ocean --
But owns your command.
Reason may grieve for us,
You can believe for us,
Crying "Achieve!" for us,
Waving your wand.

Who could aspire
Mid sorrow and sin,
Did not your fire
Spur from within?
So let us raise again,
Shouts to your praise again,
Drink to mad days again!
Loud be the din!

Come with your glorious
Power to entrance,
Ever victorious
Lord of mischance!
Dolts have berated you;
'Twas God created you,
With our souls mated you,
Deathless Romance!





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