WOULDST thou wear the gift of immortal bloom? Wouldst thou smile in scorn at the shadowy tomb? Drink of this cup! it is richly fraught With balm from the gardens of Genii brought; Drink! and the spoiler shall pass thee by, When the young all scattered like rose-leaves lie. And would not the youth of my soul be gone, If the loved had left me, one by one? Take back the cup that may never bless, The gift that would make me brotherless. How should I live, with no kindred eye To reflect mine immortality! Wouldst thou have empire, by sign or spell, Over the mighty in air that dwell? Wouldst thou call the spirits of shore and steep To fetch thee jewels from ocean's deep? Wave but this rod, and a viewless band, Slaves to thy will, shall around thee stand. And would not fear, at my coming, then Hush every voice in the homes of men? Would not bright eyes in my presence quail? Young cheeks with a nameless thrill turn pale? No gift be mine that aside would turn The human love for whose founts I yearn. Wouldst thou then read through the hearts of those Upon whose faith thou hast sought repose? Wear this rich gem! it is charmed to show When a change comes over affection's glow: Look on its flushing or fading hue, And learn if the trusted be false or true! Keep, keep the gem, that I still may trust, Though my heart's wealth be but poured on dust; Let not a doubt in my soul have place, To dim the light of a loved one's face; Leave to the earth its warm sunny smile -- That glory would pass could I look on guile! Say, then, what boon of my power shall be, Favoured of spirits! poured forth on thee? Thou scornest the treasures of wave and mine, Thou wilt not drink of the cup divine, Thou art fain with a mortal's lot to rest -- Answer me! how may I grace it best? Oh! give me no sway o'er the powers unseen, But a human heart where my own may lean! A friend, one tender and faithful friend, Whose thoughts' free current with mine may blend; And, leaving not either on earth alone, Bid the bright, calm close of our lives be one! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BIRD'S ANGER by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES CRADLE SONG AT TWILIGHT by ALICE MEYNELL SONG by WALTHER VON DER VOGELWEIDE PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 23. AL-KHAFIZ by EDWIN ARNOLD THE SIEGE OF VIRE by OLIVIER BASSELIN THE SWEET BRIER by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD WHEN TWILIGHT COMES WITH DREAMS by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE |