NATURE and art asunder seem to fly, Yet sooner than we think find common ground; In place of strife, harmonious songs resound, And both, at one, to my abode draw nigh. In sooth but one endeavor I descry: Then only, when in ordered moments' round Wisdom and toil our lives to Art have bound, Dare we rejoice in Nature's liberty. Thus is achievement fashioned everywhere: Not by ungovernable, hasty zeal Shalt thou the height of perfect form attain. Husband thy strength, if great emprize thou dare; In self-restraint they masterhood reveal, And under law thy perfect freedom gain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON MY JOYFUL DEPARTURE FROM THE CITY OF COLOGNE by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE VISIONS OF THE WORLDS VANITIE by EDMUND SPENSER TO FURIUS ON POVERTY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS THE MORAL FABLES: THE MOUSE AND THE PADDOCK by AESOP PSALM 129 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE IN FESTUBERT by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN CHRISTMAS EVE by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE THE WANDERER: 5. IN HOLLAND: MISANTHROPOS by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |