There was a time when I thought much of Fame, And laid the golden edifice to be That in the clear light of eternity Should fitly house the glory of my name. But swifter than my fingers pushed their plan, Over the fair foundation scarce begun, While I with lovers dallied in the sun, The ivy clambered and the rose-vine ran. And now, too late to see my vision, rise, In place of golden pinnacles and towers, Only some sunny mounds of leaves and flowers, Only beloved of birds and butterflies. My friends were duped, my favorers deceived; But sometimes, musing sorrowfully there, That flowered wreck has seemed to me so fair I scarce regret the temple unachieved. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NOVEMBER STARS by SARA TEASDALE HE GOADS HIMSELF by LOUIS UNTERMEYER PRAYER FOR COURAGE by LOUIS UNTERMEYER LINES TO A MOVEMENT IN MOZART'S E-FLAT SYMPHONY by THOMAS HARDY ODE TO THE MAGUIRE by EOCHADH O'HUSSEY EPIPSYCHIDION by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY THE BALLAD OF CHICKAMAUGA [SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1863] by JAMES MAURICE THOMPSON |