NOW that these wings to speed my wish ascend, The more I feel vast air beneath my feet, The more toward boundless air on pinions fleet, Spurning the earth, soaring to heaven, I tend: Nor makes them stoop their flight the direful end Of Dædal's son; but upward still them beat. What life the while with this death could compete, If dead to earth at last I must descend? My own heart's voice in the void air I hear. Where wilt thou bear me, O rash man! Recall Thy daring will! This boldness waits on fear! Dread not, I answer, that tremendous fall: Strike through the clouds, and smile when death is near, If death so glorious be our doom at all! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHARGE OF THE BREAD BRIGADE by EZRA POUND THE DIVINE IMAGE, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 3. AMARYLLIS by THOMAS CAMPION SACRIFICE by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL LYSISTRATA: HOW THE WOMEN WILL STOP WAR by ARISTOPHANES PROLOGUE TO THE PLAY OF HENRY THE EIGHTH by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |