THESE marble domes, by wealth and genius graced, With sculptured forms, bright hues, and Parian stone, Were once rude cabins 'midst a lonely waste, Wild shores of solitude, and isles unknown. Pure from each vice, 'twas here a venturous train Fearless in fragile barks explored the sea; Not theirs a wish to conquer or to reign, They sought these island-precincts -- to be free. Ne'er in their souls ambition's flame arose, No dream of avarice broke their calm repose; Fraud, more than death, abhorred each artless breast; Oh! now, since Fortune gilds their brightening day, Let not those virtues languish and decay, O'erwhelmed by luxury, and by wealth opprest! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BATTLE OF THE BALTIC by THOMAS CAMPBELL FAREWELL TO LOVE; SONNET by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE BOROUGH: LETTER 22. POOR OF THE BOROUGH. PETER GRIMES by GEORGE CRABBE SONNET TO A CLAM by JOHN GODFREY SAXE IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 14 by ALFRED TENNYSON ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 7. TO REVEREND BENJAMIN, LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER by MARK AKENSIDE |