For thirty years secluded from mankind Here Marten linger'd. Often have these walls Echoed his footsteps, as with even tread He paced around his prison; not to him Did Nature Fair varieties exist; He never saw the sun's delightful beams, Save when through yon high bars he pour'd a sad And broken splendour. Dost thou ask his crime? He had rebelled against the king, and sat In judgment on him; for his ardent mind Shaped goodliest plans of happiness on earth, And peace and liberty. Wild dreams! but such As Plato loved; such as with holy zeal Our Milton worshipp'd. Blessed hopes! a while From man withheld, even to the latter days When Christ shall come, and all things be fulfill'd! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PARADOX by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR WINTER WITH THE GULF STREAM by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS BETSY'S BATTLE FLAG by MINNA IRVING ENVOI by JOHN GNEISENAU NEIHARDT LAUGHING CORN by CARL SANDBURG SONNET: 20 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE |