BEYOND an avenue where silence reigns, Engirt by stately oaks and elms, is hid A palace whose dusk turrets cleave the sky. Within its walls, in chambers isolate, Is found the sober dwelling place of Thought. It there abides and rears its brood of young, And there through winding corridors they sport; With Truth play hide and seek, now seen, now sought, Or soaring forth they reach Parnassian heights To revel in serene, idyllic joys; Then stooping to the famed Pierian spring They from its mossy mouth quaff crystal draughts. Upon the gauzy wings of Fancy borne They float aloft in unalloyed delight; And thus their halcyon youth in idlesse passed, They quit their dim retreat, their sombre sphere, Trooping into the garish light of day, And to a world that lists with bated breath, Rehearse the charms their favored eyes beheld. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE BALCONY by PAUL VERLAINE I AM THE WAY' by ALICE MEYNELL MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 2 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER: NOVEMBER by EDMUND SPENSER TEMPEST by ANITA CONCHITA ALLMON TIMID THINGS by JOHN HAMPTON ATKINSON THE WATERS OF LETHE by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |