Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FRAGMENTS ON THE POET AND THE POETIC GIFT, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FRAGMENTS ON THE POET AND THE POETIC GIFT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: There are beggars in iran and araby
Last Line: Fenced by form and ceremony.


There are beggars in Iran and Araby,
Said was hungrier than all;
Men said he was a fly
That came to every festival,
Also he came to the mosque
In trail of camel and caravan,
Out from Mecca to Isphaban; --
Northward he went to the snowy hills, --
At court he sat in the grave divan.
His music was the south wind's sigh,
His lamp the maiden's downcast eye,
And ever the spell of beauty came
And turned the drowsy world to flame.
By lake and stream and gleaming hall,
And modest copse, and the forest tall,
Where'er he went the magic guide
Kept its place by the poet's side.
Tell me the world is a talisman,
To read it must be the art of man;
Said melted the days in cups like pearl,
Served high and low, the lord and the churl;
Loved harebells nodding on a rock,
A cabin hung with curling smoke,
And huts and tents, nor loved he less
Stately lords in palaces,
Fenced by form and ceremony.





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