MASTER of the lyric inn Where the rarer sort so long Drew the rein, to 'scape the din Of the cymbal and the gong, Topers of the classic bin, -- Oporto, sherris and tokay, Muscatel, and beaujolais -- Conning some old Book of Airs, Lolling in their Queen Anne chairs -- Catch or glee or madrigal, Writ for viol or virginal; Or from France some courtly tune, Gavotte, ridotto, rigadoon; (Watteau and the rising moon); Ballade, rondeau, triolet, Villanelle or virelay, Wistful of a statelier day, Gallant, delicate, desire: Where the Sign swings of the Lyre, Garlands droop above the door, Thou, dear Master, art no more. Lo! about thy portals throng Sorrowing shapes that loved thy song: @3Taste@1 and @3Elegance@1 are there, The modish Muses of Mayfair, @3Wit, Distinction, Form@1 and @3Style@1, @3Humour@1, too, with tear and smile. Fashion sends her butterflies -- Pretty laces to their eyes, Ladies from St. James's there Step out from the sedan chair; Wigged and scented dandies too Tristely wear their sprigs of rue; Country squires are in the crowd, And little Phyllida sobs aloud. Then stately shades I seem to see, Master, to companion thee; Horace and Fielding here are come To bid thee to Elysium. Last comes one all golden: Fame Calls thee, Master, by thy name, On thy brow the laurel lays, Whispers low -- "In After Days." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE FOR A SOCIAL MEETING, WITH SLIGHT ALTERATIONS BY A TEETOTALER by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES A SHORT SONG OF CONGRATULATION by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) CURFEW by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE BOATMAN by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI MANSONG: CHORAL by MARCUS ADENEY ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 13. TO AUTHOR OF MEMOIRS OF HOUSE OF BRANDENBURGH by MARK AKENSIDE THE SOLITUDE OF SPACE by FLORA CECILE ALLISON LAIS' MIRROR by DECIMUS MAGNUS AUSONIUS MR. PETER'S STORY: THE BAGMAN'S DOG by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |