WHEN Guido Cavalcanti, Dante's friend, Met certain prosperous fellows, such as weave Their Bacchic garlands, bragging they achieve Life, -- they through graveyards passing, bade him bend His steps their way; but he "This place may lend Power to your hest; yet see! I gain reprieve." Then leaping o'er the wall, "Sirs, by your leave, Now am I free: for here your territ'ries end." The market, forum, and convivial board Are tombs for those who sit thereat too long; But they who walk erect amid the throng, Who, seeking Wisdom, heed no Siren's song, Whose minds are gates wherethrough great floods are poured, -- They live, wax rich, and grow amid their hoard. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONG OF THE WAVE by ROBERT FROST ABOVE AND WITHIN by DAVID IGNATOW BEARING LEAVES AGAIN by DAVID IGNATOW BRIGHTNESS AS A POIGNANT LIGHT by DAVID IGNATOW FOR THE NEW YEAR by EDWIN MARKHAM LINCOLN TRIUMPHANT by EDWIN MARKHAM |