MASTER of the lyric inn Where the rarer sort so long Drew the rein, to 'scape the din Of the cymbal and the gong, Topers of the classic bin, -- Oporto, sherris and tokay, Muscatel, and beaujolais -- Conning some old Book of Airs, Lolling in their Queen Anne chairs -- Catch or glee or madrigal, Writ for viol or virginal; Or from France some courtly tune, Gavotte, ridotto, rigadoon; (Watteau and the rising moon); Ballade, rondeau, triolet, Villanelle or virelay, Wistful of a statelier day, Gallant, delicate, desire: Where the Sign swings of the Lyre, Garlands droop above the door, Thou, dear Master, art no more. Lo! about thy portals throng Sorrowing shapes that loved thy song: @3Taste@1 and @3Elegance@1 are there, The modish Muses of Mayfair, @3Wit, Distinction, Form@1 and @3Style@1, @3Humour@1, too, with tear and smile. Fashion sends her butterflies -- Pretty laces to their eyes, Ladies from St. James's there Step out from the sedan chair; Wigged and scented dandies too Tristely wear their sprigs of rue; Country squires are in the crowd, And little Phyllida sobs aloud. Then stately shades I seem to see, Master, to companion thee; Horace and Fielding here are come To bid thee to Elysium. Last comes one all golden: Fame Calls thee, Master, by thy name, On thy brow the laurel lays, Whispers low -- "In After Days." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. MR. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, 1770 by PHILLIS WHEATLEY COMRADES by GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY WISTFULNESS by KATHARINE ADAMS THE PERSIANS (PERSAE): XERXES DEFEATED by AESCHYLUS SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 27. ENGLAND by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) MALEFACTORS by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |