O martyred Spirit of this helpless Whole, Who dost by pain for tyranny atone, And in the star, the atom, and the stone, Purgest the primal guilt, and in the soul; Rich but in grief, thou dost thy wealth unroll, And givest of thy substance to thine own, Mingling the love, the laughter, and the groan In the large hollow of the heaven's bowl. Fill full my cup, the dregs and honeyed brim I take from thy just hand, more worthy love For sweetening not the draught for me or him. What in myself I am, that let me prove; Relent not for my feeble prayer, nor dim The burning of thine altar for my hymn. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO MUSIC [TO BECALM HIS FEVER] by ROBERT HERRICK THE WARDEN OF THE CINQUE PORTS (THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON) by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW CALVARY by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE ROSE (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI VAN ELSEN by FREDERICK GEORGE SCOTT THE QUEEN'S RIDE; AN INVITATION by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH SONNET: LEAVES by WILLIAM BARNES |