THOU art a thing made up of all Delightful glorious elements, Which thought, in fancy's sweetest thrall, By her creative power invents. For could she by her spell command That there should stand before me now A denizen of fairy-land, It were not lovelier than thou! Yet not for this alone, have I With tender fondness gaz'd on thee; There is another, stronger tie Which makes thee seem so dear to me. It is a tie I would not name, Because by few 'twere understood; Yet holier, purer far, its claim, Than consanguinity of blood. And thus to feel, and this to know, That I would @3seek@1 thee, more than @3shun,@1 Wakes in my heart a warmer glow Than all it ever wish'd @3has@1 done! To form fallacious schemes of joy; To wish and hope, we know not what; To see reality destroy Such phantoms, is a common lot. But, while beholding others blest, To feel no vain regrets intrude, Convinc'd that Heaven has order'd best, Is cause of sober gratitude! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SONG OF ETERNITY IN TIME by SIDNEY LANIER SISTER LOU by STERLING ALLEN BROWN TO THE DRIVING CLOUD by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW SONNET: 19. ON HIS BLINDNESS by JOHN MILTON MEMORY by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS EIGHT VOLUNTEERS by LANSING C. BAILEY BLOUDIE JACKE OF SHREWSBERRIE; THE SHROPSHIRE BLUEBEARD by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 34. FAIRY LAND by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |