SWEETEST sweets that Time hath rifled, Live anew on lyric tongue -- Tresses with which Paris trifled, Lips to Antony's that clung. These surrender not their rose, Nor their golden puissance those. Vain the envious loam that covers Her of Egypt, her of Troy: Helen's, Cleopatra's lovers Still desire them, still enjoy. Fate but stole what Song restored: Vain the aspic, vain the cord. Idly clanged the sullen portal, Idly the sepulchral door: Fame the mighty, Love the immortal, These than foolish dust are more: Nor may captive Death refuse Homage to the conquering Muse. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HERETIC: 1. BLASPHEMY by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THALATTA! THALATTA!; CRY OF THE TEN THOUSAND by JOSEPH BROWNLEE BROWN EROS (1) by RALPH WALDO EMERSON HARVEST SONG by LUDWIG HENRICH CHRISTOPH HOLTY TO CORINTH by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR |