The Castle of Delight, I heard, Is barred, at entrance, with this word: "None but a hero here may rest, And they who honor him the best." And so I fought on land and sea, And many bent their knees to me, And with my faithful troops, in state I marched up to the castle gate. But bugle call, nor ram, nor mine, Moved on its hinge the door divine. I taught my tongue the sacred skill To move men's souls to meet my will, And with the applauding crowd, elate, I sought again the castle gate. But they who held those towers gray Were deaf to all that I could say. I lived in caves afar from man, I thought deep mysteries to scan, And with disciples in my train I sought the castle gate again. But all the hermit's sanctity Would not unbar the gate for me. Then I went home, my longing spent, My hands I clenched, my back I bent. I did whatever nearest came. I won a friend to do the same. One day while walking, he and I, We chanced to pass the castle by, And all in sport the gate I tried; When lo, the portal opened wide! And lo, a strangely beauteous sight Appeared the Castle of Delight! We entered in with right good will, And there we two are living still. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOMAGE TO QUINTUS SEPTIMIUS FLORENTIS CHRISTIANUS: TROY by AGATHIAS SCHOLASTICUS ACHIEVEMENT'S SILVER CRY by MARGARETE ROSE AKIN ROMEO AND JULIET by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH NEXT DAY; IN THE TRAIN by LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA RUDEL TO THE LADY OF TRIPOLI by ROBERT BROWNING MEDITATIONS FOR EVERY DAY IN PASSION WEEK: THURSDAY by JOHN BYROM AN ANNIVERSARY by ADA CAMBRIDGE OBSERVATIONS IN THE ART OF ENGLISH POESY: 3 by THOMAS CAMPION |