THOU hast a charmed cup, O Fame! A draught that mantles high, And seems to lift this earthly frame Above mortality. Away! to me -- a woman -- bring Sweet waters from affection's spring. Thou hast green laurel-leaves that twine Into so proud a wreath; For that resplendent gift of thine, Heroes have smiled in death. Give @3me@1 from some kind hand a flower, The record of one happy hour! Thou hast a voice, whose thrilling tone Can bid each life-pulse beat, As when a trumpet's note hath blown, Calling the brave to meet: But mine, let mine -- a woman's breast, By words of home-born love be blessed. A hollow sound is in thy song, A mockery in thine eye, To the sick heart that doth but long For aid, for sympathy; For kindly looks to cheer it on, For tender accents that are gone. Fame, Fame! thou canst not be the stay Unto the drooping reed, The cool fresh fountain, in the day Of the soul's feverish need; Where must the lone one turn or flee? -- Not unto thee, oh! not to thee! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOOD-BYE DOROTHY GAYLE: OVER THE MACKINAC by KAREN SWENSON THE CAPTAIN; AFTER READING HENLEY'S INVICTUS by DOROTHEA DAY THE RIVER by RALPH WALDO EMERSON SPOILS OF THE DEAD by ROBERT FROST THE BLUET by W. I. LINCOLN ADAMS FOUR SONNETS: 1 by FRANK DAVIS ASHBURN THE TOWERS OF PRINCETON [FROM THE TRAIN] by ROBERT BRIDGES (1858-1941) THE SHEPHERD'S PIPE: SIXTH ECLOGUE by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |