ALL things wax old. What voice shall chase that gloom Which hangs o'er Adam's tomb? Over the patriarchal palm and tent The ocean's vault is bent: Past is the Persian chivalry; and past Old Egypt's lore at last: Where Priam reigned of old, where Homer sang, Barbaric javelins clang: Along the wealthy Carthaginian shores Again the lion roars; And Rome at last her ancient foe deplores. Gone is our Arthur; dead the Cid of Spain; Alfred and Charlemagne. Where now are Europe's wise and holy kings "With whom old story rings?" Where now the mitred martyrs of the Faith, Martyrs in life and death? Meek sages, courteous lovers, bards devout, Scorning the world's vain shout? Where now that early Church whose anthemed rites Made Earth like Heaven -- her nights Glorious and blest as day with votive lights? Lay down, vainglorious king, for shame lay down Thy sceptre, globe, and crown. Draw near, my dark-eyed Delphic boy; fill up With Naxian wine my cup. Young Spring hath dropped the rosebud from her breast -- Summer her sun-clad crest: And Autumn's gorgeous fruits, in vain increased, But spread her funeral feast. Dark Winter, mailed with ice, and stern and hoar, I praise much more -- To him this last libation I will pour. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CAPTIVE LION by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES CORN-LAW HYMN by EBENEZER ELLIOTT STABAT MATER DOLOROSA by JACOPONE DA TODI FRAGMENTS OF A LOST GNOSTIC POEM OF THE 12TH CENTURY by HERMAN MELVILLE TO RICH GIVERS by WALT WHITMAN ON THE BIRTH OF A FRIEND'S ELDEST SON by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |