MEN tell us love is only vain, A fleeting shade, an empty cheat, Though down from Eden's bowers, 'tis plain, The world has chased that fond deceit. Some nobler hope, these graybeards name, As worthiest of the manly heart, The ruddy gold,—the sounded fame,— The glow of thought, and wreath of Art. Methinks, the sage may con his theme, Till nature's flickering flame expire,— Life were, indeed, a worthless dream, If only these could wake its fire! But Love, still sovereign as of old, Makes them his slaves obedient move, And Fame and Art and sullen Gold, And conquering Genius bend to Love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DOMESDAY BOOK: DR. TRACE TO THE CORONER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS MEETING AND PASSING by ROBERT FROST LEARNING TO READ by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER WINTER'S EVENING HYMN TO MY FIRE by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE MERMAID by ALFRED TENNYSON THE FLATTERERS by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |