As I was walking in my lunar dream Up those dim stairs that lead to break of day, My soul's chimera barred the starry way, And broke the thread-like hope, the glimmering beam; Methought my spirit pealed a stifled scream, -- So hideous-fair the monster, loud and gay, So turbulent and blithe, in riotous play. It called upon me, shouting, to blaspheme: And my weak flesh, pledg'd to God's work and word, Discreet and mild, subdued to yearn and learn, Almost redeemed, a blanching miracle, -- Flushing deep red, with acrid juices stirred, Before this vast brute, gross and taciturn, Rolled, crashing, back into the heart of hell. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IMAGES: 2 by RICHARD ALDINGTON THE ACHARNIANS: IN PRAISE OF THE POET by ARISTOPHANES MONA LISA by JOHN KENDRICK BANGS LOVE AND COQUETRY by LEVI BISHOP A NEW PILGRIMAGE: 34 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT AN ANGRY WORD by MARGARET E. BRUNER MASQUE AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE LORD HAYES: SONG by THOMAS CAMPION ODE TO APOLLO; ON AN INK-GLASS ALMOST DRIED IN THE SUN by WILLIAM COWPER |