A Stratford swan afloat by elms and spire; Helvellyn's sunrise tinting all the lakes; And Chillon's castle when no wavelet breaks Its deep reflection -- these my heart's desire; And lion lifting wings that never tire Above the moon-paved waters; isle that wakes From purple pillows when Vesuvius shakes; And wingless Nike framed in sunset fire. And having seen -- long journeyings now past -- I walked beneath mine own benignant skies, And talked with men that round the world had cast A curious gaze; yet to my sad surprise My pictures slowly faded, -- till at last I turned and saw them in a poet's eyes. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TOMMY'S DEAD by SYDNEY THOMPSON DOBELL BALLAD: TIME OF ROSES by THOMAS HOOD MY PICTURE LEFT IN SCOTLAND by BEN JONSON EVE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI PROMETHEUS UNBOUND; A LYRICAL DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY THE WINDOW; OR, THE SONG OF THE WRENS: THE LETTER by ALFRED TENNYSON |