WERE but this marble vocal, there Such an elogium would appear, As might, though truth did dictate, move Distrust in either Faith or Love; As ample knowledge as could rest Enshrined in a mortal's breast, Which ne'ertheless did open lie, Uncovered by humility; A heart, which piety had chose To be her altar, whence arose Such smoking sacrifices, that We here can only wonder at; A honey tongue, that could dispense Torrents of sacred eloquence, And yet how far inferior stand Unto a learned curious hand? That 'tis no wonder, if this stone, Because it cannot speak, doth groan; For could mortality assent, These ashes might prove eloquent. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO RIDGELY TORRENCE - PLAYWRIGHT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON AUTUMN MOVEMENT by CARL SANDBURG THE VIRTUOSO; IN IMITATION OF SPENCER'S STYLE AND STANZA by MARK AKENSIDE THE FAIRY THORN; AN ULSTER BALLAD by SAMUEL FERGUSON THE FUNERAL TREE OF THE SOKOKIS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER FREQUENTLY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS THE STALLION OF NIGHT by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |