THOU hast a charmed cup, O Fame! A draught that mantles high, And seems to lift this earthly frame Above mortality. Away! to me -- a woman -- bring Sweet waters from affection's spring. Thou hast green laurel-leaves that twine Into so proud a wreath; For that resplendent gift of thine, Heroes have smiled in death. Give @3me@1 from some kind hand a flower, The record of one happy hour! Thou hast a voice, whose thrilling tone Can bid each life-pulse beat, As when a trumpet's note hath blown, Calling the brave to meet: But mine, let mine -- a woman's breast, By words of home-born love be blessed. A hollow sound is in thy song, A mockery in thine eye, To the sick heart that doth but long For aid, for sympathy; For kindly looks to cheer it on, For tender accents that are gone. Fame, Fame! thou canst not be the stay Unto the drooping reed, The cool fresh fountain, in the day Of the soul's feverish need; Where must the lone one turn or flee? -- Not unto thee, oh! not to thee! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA by SAMUEL HAWKINS MARSHALL BYERS THE LITANY [TO THE HOLY SPIRIT] by ROBERT HERRICK NUPTIAL SONG by JOHN BYRNE LEICESTER WARREN PSALM 26. JUDICA ME DEUS by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE TO THE MEMORY OF CHARLES BROCKDEN BROWN by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD |