That I might chisel a statue, line on line, Out of a marble's chaste severities! Angular, harsh; no softened curves to please; Set tears within the eyes to make them shine. And furrows on the brow, deep, stern, yet fine; Gaunt, awkward, tall; no courtier of ease; The trousers bulging at the bony knees; Long nose, large mouth - But ah, the light divine Of Truth, - the light that set a people free! - Burning upon it in a steady flame, As sunset fires a white peak on the sky - Ah, God! To leave it nameless and yet see Men looking weep and bow themselves and cry - 'Enough, enough! We know thy statue's name!' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DOWN-HILL ON A BICYCLE by LOUIS UNTERMEYER UPON THE LOSS OF HIS MISTRESSES by ROBERT HERRICK THE WORLD by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI WINDOW TRIMMER by MARGARET LEE ASHLEY EXPECTATION by GLADYS BRIERLY ASHOUR SONNET FROM JAPAN: 2. THE SHRINE OF THE PILGRIM SANDALS by ADELAIDE NICHOLS BAKER |