RUDE mass of earth, from which with moilèd hands (Compulsive taught) the brittle tubes I form, Oft listless, while my vagrant fancy warm Roves (heedless of necessity's demands) Amid Parnassian bowers, or wishful eyes The flight of Genius, while sublime she soars Of moral truth in search, or earth explores, Or sails with Science through the starry skies: Yet must I own (unsightly clod) thy claim To my attention, for thou art my stead. When grows importunate the voice of need, And in the furnace thy last change I speed, Ah! then how eager do I urge the flame, How anxious watch thee mid that glowing fire, That threats my eyeballs with extinction dire! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EARTH'S IMMORTALITIES: FAME by ROBERT BROWNING THE AFRICAN CHIEF by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT THE MYSTERY OF PAIN by EMILY DICKINSON THE MESSAGES by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON THE IMPERCIPIENT (AT A CATHEDRAL SERVICE) by THOMAS HARDY |