NATURE and art asunder seem to fly, Yet sooner than we think find common ground; In place of strife, harmonious songs resound, And both, at one, to my abode draw nigh. In sooth but one endeavor I descry: Then only, when in ordered moments' round Wisdom and toil our lives to Art have bound, Dare we rejoice in Nature's liberty. Thus is achievement fashioned everywhere: Not by ungovernable, hasty zeal Shalt thou the height of perfect form attain. Husband thy strength, if great emprize thou dare; In self-restraint they masterhood reveal, And under law thy perfect freedom gain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RUBAIYAT, 1879 EDITION: 71 by OMAR KHAYYAM SONG TOURNAMENT: NEW STYLE by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE IMPROVISATORE: RODOLPH THE WILD by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE LAST MAN by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE HIGH AND LOW by ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH TO C. LLOYD, ON HIS PROPOSING TO DOMESTICATE WITH THE AUTHOR by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE LINES WRITTEN ON A PAGE OF THE MONTHLY REVIEW by WILLIAM COWPER |