That I might chisel a statue, line on line, Out of a marble's chaste severities! Angular, harsh; no softened curves to please; Set tears within the eyes to make them shine. And furrows on the brow, deep, stern, yet fine; Gaunt, awkward, tall; no courtier of ease; The trousers bulging at the bony knees; Long nose, large mouth - But ah, the light divine Of Truth, - the light that set a people free! - Burning upon it in a steady flame, As sunset fires a white peak on the sky - Ah, God! To leave it nameless and yet see Men looking weep and bow themselves and cry - 'Enough, enough! We know thy statue's name!' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AT THE SAND CREEK BRIDGE by JAMES GALVIN AUTUMN SONG by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI NOCTURNE IN A DESERTED BRICKYARD by CARL SANDBURG THE MOUNTAIN ECHO by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH A SOUL'S SOLILOQUY by WENONAH STEVENS ABBOTT COLONIAL SET by ALFRED GOLDSWORTHY BAILEY ON THE DEATH OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |