Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LOST ELIXIR, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LOST ELIXIR, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ah, yes, that 'drop of human blood'!
Last Line: Has gone with life's first leaf and bud.
Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


'One drop of ruddy human blood puts more life into the veins of a
poem than all the delusive 'aurum potabile' that can be
distilled out of
the choicest library.' -- LOWELL.

AH, yes, that 'drop of human blood!' --
We had it once, may be,
When our young song's impetuous flood
First poured its ecstasy;
But now the shrunk poetic vein
Yields not that priceless drop again.

We toil, -- as toiled we not of old;
Our patient hands distil
The shining spheres of chemic gold
With hard-won, fruitless skill;
But that red drop still seems to be
Beyond our utmost alchemy.

Perchance, but most in later age
Time's after-gift, a tear,
Will strike a pathos on the page
Beyond all art sincere;
But that 'one drop of human blood'
Has gone with life's first leaf and bud.




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