THE Spirit of Antiquity -- enshrined In sumptuous buildings, vocal in sweet song, In picture, speaking with heroic tongue, And with devout solemnities entwined -- Mounts to the seat of grace within the mind: Hence Forms that glide with swan-like ease along, Hence motions, even amid the vulgar throng, To an harmonious decency confined: As if the streets were consecrated ground, The city one vast temple, dedicate To mutual respect in thought and deed; To leisure, to forbearances sedate; To social cares from jarring passions freed; A deeper peace than that in deserts found! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FOR A' THAT AND A' THAT by CHARLES WILLIAM SHIRLEY BROOKS TOM BOWLING ['S EPITAPH] by CHARLES DIBDIN THE TWO MYSTERIES by MARY ELIZABETH MAPES DODGE FOUR-LEAF CLOVER by ELLA (RHOADS) HIGGINSON THE VIRGIN'S SLUMBER SONG by JOSEPH FRANCIS CARLIN MACDONNELL SONNET: 5 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 68 by PHILIP SIDNEY |