THERE is a throng within the gates, A pressing, diverse throng; -- Without, a peaceful throng awaits, To which I would belong. Within the gates the varied folk Advise discordantly; -- Without, the poet-crowds convoke To council harmony. Within the gates are all the heights And depths of serried powers; But when a lyric theme invites, I reach outlying bowers Where dwell the bards of quiet years; I join my song to theirs; My glad, unfettered spirit hears The melody it shares. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TROPICS IN NEW YORK by CLAUDE MCKAY APRIL, FR. LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE AUTUMN: A DIRGE by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY THE WANDERING JEW by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER TWO ROBBERS by FRANCIS WILLIAM BOURDILLON IN TRAVEL by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON NEWSTEAD ABBEY by GEORGE GORDON BYRON TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 4. O CHILD OF URANUS by EDWARD CARPENTER LINES SUGGESTED BY HEARING MUSIC ON THE BOSTON COMMON by THOMAS COLE (1801-1848) |