IF thou indeed derive thy light from Heaven, Then, to the measure of that heaven-born light, Shine, Poet! in thy place, and be content: -- The stars pre-eminent in magnitude, And they that from the zenith dart their beams, (Visible though they be to half the earth, Though half a sphere be conscious of their brightness) Are yet of no diviner origin, No purer essence, than the one that burns, Like an untended watch-fire on the ridge Of some dark mountain; or than those which seem Humbly to hang, like twinkling winter lamps, Among the branches of the leafless trees. All are the undying offspring of one Sire: Then, to the measure of the light vouchsafed, Shine, Poet! in thy place, and be content. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A RONDEL OF LUVE [LOVE] by ALEXANDER SCOTT (1520-1590) AT BAY RIDGE, LONG ISLAND by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH A SOUTHERN NIGHT by MATTHEW ARNOLD MYSTERIOUS LIFE by EMMA BERGSTROM AN INVITATION by MRS. RALPH BLACK ACHRONOS by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |