O friend, it is a deep religious loss To palter with our Master's pure renown; To lose the sad precision of the Cross In Fancy's lights, and melt away His crown; Gazing on truth, why should our vision swim? Let Calvary stand clear of fabulous mist, Keep all the paths of Olivet for Christ, And let no Orphic phantom walk with Him! Then, and then only, welcome! what they tell Of that majestic harp, which came full-strung Among the woes of Hades, to compel A pause in all her penance - of the spell Marred by a look - and of that faithful tongue, Which Death and Hebrus strove in vain to quell. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A SKYLARK by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY THE HAND OF LINCOLN by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN THE GALLOWS by PHILIP EDWARD THOMAS EPITAPH ON CHARLES II by JOHN WILMOT A ROCKING HYMN by GEORGE WITHER TO CHLOE by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |