Silent and dark is the source of yon river, Whose birth-place we know not, and seek not to know, Though mild as the flight of the shaft from yon quiver, Is the course of its waves as in music they flow. Oh, my heart, and my song, which is as my heart's flowing, Read thy fate in yon river, for such is thine own! 'Mid those the chief praise on thy music bestowing, Who cares for the lips from whence issue the tone? Dark as its birth-place, so dark is my spirit, Whence yet the sweet waters of melody come: 'Tis the long after-course, not the source, will inherit The beauty and glory of sunshine and fame. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE BALCONY by PAUL VERLAINE THE ATLANTIDES by HENRY DAVID THOREAU PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 72, 73, 74, 75. AWWAL, AKHIR, THAHIR, BATIN by EDWIN ARNOLD FAREWELL TO SUMMER by GEORGE ARNOLD BALLADE OF THE FOREST HAUNTERS by THEODORE FAULLAIN DE BANVILLE |