THY palace walls were founded well, And well its courses thou didst lay; One tower defied the genie's spell, And stands a ruin to this day. The Land of Flowers thou didst attain, And see the spring's immortal jet; Thy staff-worn hand was reached in vain -- Thy lips that crystal never wet! With pains the altar thou didst dress, And the burnt sacrifice prepare, And call upon the God to bless -- All but the Fire from Heaven was there! Thou shak'st thy lance on hard-fought field, Thou sleep'st, the tingling stars above; -- Pity and praise sweet eyes can yield, But ne'er vouchsafe the Light of Love! What dost thou lack? 'Tis almost naught That parts thee from thy Heart's Desire, -- A step -- a span -- an airy thought: A pulse-beat more, thou didst require! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PORTRAIT OF A MOTOR CAR by CARL SANDBURG OZYMANDIAS REVISITED by MORRIS GILBERT BISHOP IF by EDWARD JAMES MORTIMER COLLINS ON A GRAVE IN CHRIST-CHURCH, HANTS by OSCAR FAY ADAMS RESURRECTION SONG by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 26 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH BENEDICITE by ANNA CALLENDER BRACKETT |