I. COME then, tell me, sage divine, Is it an offence to own That our bosoms e'er incline Toward immortal glory's throne? For with me nor pomp, nor pleasure, Bourbon's might, Braganza's treasure, So can fancy's dream rejoice, So conciliate reason's choice, As one approving word of her impartial voice. II. If to spurn at noble praise Be the passport to thy heaven, Follow thou those gloomy ways; No such law to me was given, Nor, I trust, shall I deplore me Faring like my friends before me; Nor a holier place desire Than Timoleon's arms acquire, And Tully's curule chair, and Milton's golden lyre. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE KING'S JEWEL by PHOEBE CARY TO ONE IN BEDLAM by ERNEST CHRISTOPHER DOWSON HEROIC LOVE by JAMES GRAHAM (1612-1650) AT CASTERBRIDGE FAIR: 1. THE BALLAD-SINGER by THOMAS HARDY AN ARMY CORPS ON THE MARCH by WALT WHITMAN INSCRIPTIONS: 3 by MARK AKENSIDE SEVEN SAD SONNETS: 1. THE HAPPENING by MARY REYNOLDS ALDIS EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 6. FAIR AND SOFTLY by PHILIP AYRES THE HOUSE-WARMING; A LEGEND OF BLEEDING-HEART YARD by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |