Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THE OLD BRIDGE, by JOSE-MARIA DE HEREDIA (1842-1905)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE OLD BRIDGE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: On graven chalice or on hasp of gold
Last Line: A dagger's hilt whereon the titans stove.
Subject(s): Cellini, Benvenuto (1500-1571)


ON graven chalice or on hasp of gold
With the first beam the valiant master bent,
His brushes ready and his hand intent
On Latin mottoes to be smoothly scrolled.

Over the bridge the silvern belfries tolled,
The spurred heel smote, the priestly raiment went;
The mounting sunbeams in the clear sky blent,
And lovely girls fared onward aureol'd.

And fain, whom wanton ardour swiftly drove,
The wistful lads forgot their lover's seal
And left the clasped hands on the rings undone.
While, with a slim blade sharp as murderer's steel,
Cellini, without heed, wrought on alone
A dagger's hilt whereon the Titans stove.





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