MY Lady, had I but the Heaven-sent grace Of rhythmic speech to match my great intent, This verse of mine should grow more eloquent Than his who charmed the ancient rocks of Thrace. Higher than Horace's or Pindar's place I'd hang a wreath for thee, so excellent, A book so wrought of noble sentiment, That Du Bellay would straightway yield the race! Nay, even Laura's song-ennobled name, With glory by the listening ages crowned, Lives in the Tuscan verse less world-renowned Than thine, whose praise, for pledge of France's fame, Should conquer empires, peoples, kings, and Time, And outsoar Death itself on wings of rhyme! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ODE TO THE FRAMERS OF THE FRAME BILL by GEORGE GORDON BYRON FOR YOU O DEMOCRACY by WALT WHITMAN FULL OF LIFE NOW by WALT WHITMAN FOOTLIGHT MOTIFS: 4. NATALIE ALT by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS TO THE RAILROAD MEN by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS AT THE FUNERAL OF A MINOR POET by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH TWELVE SONNETS: 5. GLAD SEASONS by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |