In former times such as had store of coin, In wars at home, or when for conquests bound, For fear that some their treasure should purloin, Gave it to keep to spirits within the ground, And to attend it them as strongly tied Till they return'd; home when they never came, Such as by art to get the same have tried From the strong Spirit by no means force the same; Nearer men come, that further flies away, Striving to hold it strongly in the deep. E'en as this Spirit, so you alone do play With those rich beauties Heav'n gives you to keep; Pity, so left to the coldness of your blood, Not to avail you, nor do the others good. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...COOPER SQUARE by KAREN SWENSON THE INCOGNITA OF RAPHAEL by WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER SOMEBODY'S DARLING by MARIE LA CONTE THE CHILDREN'S HOUR by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE DANGER OF DISCONTENT by E.-G. BAYFIELD |