O fool! O false! I have abandoned Heaven, And sold my wealth for metal of base kind. O frail disciple of a fair creed given For human hope when all the world was blind! What was my profit? Freedom of the mind, A little pleasure of the years, some scars Of lusty youth, and some few thoughts enshrined In worthier record of my manhood's years. All else is loss, and unredeemed distress; The voiceful seasons uninvited come, And bring their tribute of new flowers, and pass: Only the reason of the world is dumb; Nor does God any more by word or sign Speak to our rebel hearts of things divine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. KESSLER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE GARDEN BY MOONLIGHT by AMY LOWELL SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ALONZO CHURCHILL by EDGAR LEE MASTERS AN EPITAPH by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE RED JACKET by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK THE LADDER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW |