IT hath been thine to prove what use and power, What sweetness, and what glorious strength belong To the brief compass of that slandered song We term the Sonnet. Thine hath been the dower Whereby its richly fruitful, fairy shower Of poesy hath flooded o'er our hearts; And thine the dominant magic which imparts Life to its thrilling music. Hour by hour, My soul from this small fountain, in whose deep The sunshine of thy passionate genius plays, Doth drink delight, till fancy melts in sleep, Charmed by the witchery of thy perfect lays, -- Not dreamless, but flushed through with joys that keep Some fervent gleam of youth's voluptuous days. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...REASONS FOR DRINKING by HENRY ALDRICH TRUE UNTIL DEATH by ROBERT BURNS LINES INSCRIBED UPON A CUP FORMED FROM A SKULL by GEORGE GORDON BYRON SESTINA: 1. OF THE LADY PIETRA DEGLI SCROVIGNI by DANTE ALIGHIERI A BETTER RESURRECTION by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI FOR 'OUR LADY OF THE ROCKS' (BY LEONARDO DA VINCI) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI |