MY Lady, had I but the Heaven-sent grace Of rhythmic speech to match my great intent, This verse of mine should grow more eloquent Than his who charmed the ancient rocks of Thrace. Higher than Horace's or Pindar's place I'd hang a wreath for thee, so excellent, A book so wrought of noble sentiment, That Du Bellay would straightway yield the race! Nay, even Laura's song-ennobled name, With glory by the listening ages crowned, Lives in the Tuscan verse less world-renowned Than thine, whose praise, for pledge of France's fame, Should conquer empires, peoples, kings, and Time, And outsoar Death itself on wings of rhyme! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN MAY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR HIS CONTENT IN THE COUNTRY by ROBERT HERRICK RIDDLE: A CANDLE by MOTHER GOOSE HOPE AND DESPAIR by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE HILLS by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE THE WATER CROWVOOT by WILLIAM BARNES SONNET (2) by JOACHIM DU BELLAY SHEMA-YISRAEL-ADONAI-ELOHENU ADONAI-ECHOD by NATHAN BERNSTEIN |