A Stratford swan afloat by elms and spire; Helvellyn's sunrise tinting all the lakes; And Chillon's castle when no wavelet breaks Its deep reflection -- these my heart's desire; And lion lifting wings that never tire Above the moon-paved waters; isle that wakes From purple pillows when Vesuvius shakes; And wingless Nike framed in sunset fire. And having seen -- long journeyings now past -- I walked beneath mine own benignant skies, And talked with men that round the world had cast A curious gaze; yet to my sad surprise My pictures slowly faded, -- till at last I turned and saw them in a poet's eyes. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 21 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE POOL by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE SONNET by RICHARD WATSON GILDER THE KEARSARGE (1894) by JAMES JEFFREY ROCHE VORTICIST POEM ON LOVE by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS THE ONE WHITE ROSE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH COMPLAINS, BEING HIND'RED THE SIGHT OF HIS NYMPH by PHILIP AYRES |