YOUNG ardent soul, graced with fair Nature's truth, Spring warmth of heart, and fervency of mind, And still a large late love of all thy kind, Spite of the world's cold practice and Time's tooth, -- For all these gifts, I know not, in fair sooth, Whether to give thee joy, or bid thee blind Thine eyes with tears, -- that thou hast not resigned The passionate fire and fierceness of thy youth: For as the current of thy life shall flow, Gilded by shine of sun or shadow-stained, Through flow'ry valley or unwholesome fen, Thrice blessed in thy joy, or in thy woe Thrice cursed of thy race, -- thou art ordained To share beyond the lot of common men. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BATTLE OF NASEBY by THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY BLUEBEARD by RUTH FITCH BARLETT A KISS - BY MISTAKE by JOEL BENTON THE SEA GULL by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD BURNS by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES THOUGHTS IN A CATHEDRAL by RHYS CARPENTER THE CANTERBURY TALES: THE SHIPMAN'S TALE by GEOFFREY CHAUCER |