O star-built bridge, broad milky way! O star-lit, stately, splendid span! If but one star should cease to stay And prop its shoulders to God's plan -- The man who lives for self, I say, He lives for neither God nor man. I count the columned waves at war With Titan elements; and they, In martial splendor, storm the bar And shake the world, these bits of spray. Each gives to each, and like the star Gets back its gift in tenfold pay. To get and give and give amain The rivers run and oceans roll. O generous and high-born rain When raining as a splendid whole! That man who lives for self, again, I say, has neither sense nor soul. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON A VIRTUOUS YOUNG GENTLEWOMAN THAT DIED SUDDENLY by WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT THE TRAGEDY OF VALENTINIAN: SPRING by JOHN FLETCHER THE SHADOWS by FRANK DEMPSTER SHERMAN THE MORAL FABLES: THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER by AESOP INSCRIPTIONS: 2. FOR A STATUE OF CHAUCER AT WOODSTOCK by MARK AKENSIDE |