"TAKE ye the world," cried Zeus from Heaven's height, "Ye sons of men! I give it all to you, A heritage in everlasting right; Now share the gift, as brethren do." Then hasted every hand to grasp its gain, And young or old, each claimed his share of good; Soon clutched the Husbandman his golden grain; The Squire rode hunting through the wood; The Merchant bustled, till his wares were stowed; The Abbot chose him generous cobwebbed wine; The Monarch barred the river and the road, Crying, "The tenth of all is mine." Late, when the last had long received his share, The Poet came, from regions far and dim; Too late! each heritage had found an heir, And nought, alas! was left for him. "Ah, woe is me! Of all thy sons, shall I, The truest, be forgotten?I alone?" Loud to the ears of Zeus he sent his cry, And threw himself before the throne. "Nay, if in dreamland thou wert pleased to hide," Rejoined the God, "accuse thyself, not me; Where, while they portioned Earth, didst thou abide?" "I was," the Poet said, "with thee." "Mine eye was fixed on thy celestial face, Mine ear upon the harmonies of Heaven; If, by thy light entranced, I lost my place On Earth, oh, be the fault forgiven!" "What help?" said Zeus: "the Earth is given away, Mart, greenwood, harvest, these no more are mine; But, if thou be content with me to stay, Come when thou wilt, a home in Heaven is thine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DIRGE IN WOODS by GEORGE MEREDITH PARADISE LOST: BOOK 4 by JOHN MILTON SOUL AND BODY by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE THE RIVER IN THE MEADOWS by LEONIE ADAMS HYMN TO SANTA RITA; THE PATRON SAINT OF THE IMPOSSIBLE by ALVEY AUGUSTUS ADEE |