These sectaries deal in parodies of truth - Their narrow-minded fancies, crude and mean, Uttered with gestures wild and words uncouth In nature's mighty presence, move our spleen, When they should move our tears. The gale blew loud, But still the raving and the rant were heard - Just then I marked, how, from a flying cloud, Orion swiftly drew his belt and sword, As he would mount to higher heavens, and go Still further from the earth! how little dreamed The hot fanatic, breathing flames and woe, Of that ineffable contrast! Stars that gleamed, Free winds and fleecy drift, how pure they seemed, How alien from the hearts that grovelled so! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WISTFUL DAYS by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON A NYMPH'S PASSION by BEN JONSON VERSES ON SEEING THE SPEAKER ASLEEP IN HIS CHAIR by WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED RECONCILIATION by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL POPULARITY by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE LAY OF MR. COLT by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN TO A YOUNG MOTHER by HELEN DARBY BERNING |