THE Spirit of Antiquity -- enshrined In sumptuous buildings, vocal in sweet song, In picture, speaking with heroic tongue, And with devout solemnities entwined -- Mounts to the seat of grace within the mind: Hence Forms that glide with swan-like ease along, Hence motions, even amid the vulgar throng, To an harmonious decency confined: As if the streets were consecrated ground, The city one vast temple, dedicate To mutual respect in thought and deed; To leisure, to forbearances sedate; To social cares from jarring passions freed; A deeper peace than that in deserts found! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHARGE OF THE BREAD BRIGADE by EZRA POUND HATRED by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT THE TENTH MUSE: THE PROLOGUE by ANNE BRADSTREET WHEN MY SHIP COMES IN by ROBERT JONES BURDETTE THE KISS by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ELSA WERTMAN by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |