1. BENEATH these shades, whose hallowed fame All generous thoughts revere! Within these Halls, of many a name To hope and memory dear; Be thus, by meeting hearts and hands, One fresher garland twined Round sacred Learning's gathered bands, To mingle mind with mind. 2. The sage's lonely lamp might shine, And in its light expire; And burning word or thought divine Might perish in their fire; But caught from kindling soul to soul, The flames effulgent spread, And clasp in one immortal whole The living and the dead. 3. These brooding cares that round us rise, And Life, foredoomed to toils, Catch half a grace from social ties, And live in genial smiles; And still when Wisdom lifts her brow, Encrowned with flowery wreaths, Then gleams her spirit's purest glow,— Her noblest purpose breathes. 4. Within the bosom's secret shrine Immortal visions sleep, Like gems that light the sullen mine, Or pearls that strew the deep; But touched to life by kindred art, The burning accents roll,— Senate and Forum feel a heart, And nations own a soul! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MOONLIT APPLES by JOHN DRINKWATER THE NEED OF BEING VERSED IN COUNTRY THINGS by ROBERT FROST THE SURPRISE AT TICONDEROGA [MAY 10, 1775] by MARY ANNA PHINNEY STANSBURY PORTRAIT SONNETS: 2 by HENRY BELLAMANN THE SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK by JAMES W. BLAKE TO LOVE IS TO BE BORN ANEW by MARION LOUISE BLISS |