WHITHER, oh! whither wilt thou wing thy way? What solemn region first upon thy sight Shall break, unveiled for terror or delight? What hosts, magnificent in dread array, My spirit! when thy prison-house of clay, After long strife is rent? Fond, fruitless quest! The unfledged bird, within his narrow nest, Sees but a few green branches o'er him play, And through their parting leaves, by fits revealed, A glimpse of summer sky; nor knows the field Wherein his dormant powers must yet be tried. Thou art that bird! -- of what beyond thee lies Far in the untracked, immeasurable skies, Knowing but this -- that thou shalt find thy Guide! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A PSALM OF TRAVEL by GEORGE SANTAYANA THE SEALS IN PENOBSCOT BAY by KAREN SWENSON A DEATH SCENE by EMILY JANE BRONTE GOD SAVE THE NATION! by THEODORE TILTON ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 2: 25. THE VIRGIN by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH THE TWO APRIL MORNINGS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |