WHILE now upon the bank my engineers Of purpose, gathered in no easy rest But quarrelsome talk, disputing and distressed, Behold their frustrate bridge and broken piers O'erwhelmed by those high-flooding deaths and fears; And by them waits—leaning upon his breast, Spirit, in him as he in her sole blest— Thwarted Imagination, whose sharp jeers Mock at their toil ... suddenly all is gone; Their voices in silence, in wide air are lost Their gestures; now, nor ford nor bridge being crossed, I wander here, at peace with myself and alone, From this clear hill seeing, o'er a gentle tide, My futile works,—lo there on the other side. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOD'S WAY by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR MOTLEY: MUSIC by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE THE LILY IN CRYSTAL by ROBERT HERRICK |