By the chance turning of a spade In Roman earth, to view are laid Bits of carnelian, bronze and gold, Laboriously carved of old -- Sleek Bacchus with his leaves and grapes; Bow-bending Centaurs; Gorgon shapes; Pallas Athene helmeted; Some grim, forgotten emperor's head.... This one, most precious for its make, That other, for the metal's sake. A touch -- and lo! are brought to light Fancies long buried out of sight In hearts of poets ... bits of rhyme Fashioned in some forgotten time And thrown aside, but, found to-day, Have each a value in its way ... This, for the skill with which 't is wrought, That, for the pathos of its thought. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPRING BLIZZARD by JAMES GALVIN THE SPARROW HARK IN THE RAIN (ALEXANDER STEPHENS HEARS NEWS) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS A CARELESS HEART by ISAAC ROSENBERG ON DEATH, WITHOUT EXAGGERATION by WISLAWA SZYMBORSKA |