THE pibroch's note, discountenanced or mute; The Roman kilt, degraded to a toy Of quaint apparel for a half-spoilt boy; The target mouldering like ungathered fruit; The smoking steam-boat eager in pursuit, As eagerly pursued; the umbrella spread To weather-fend the Celtic herdsman's head -- All speak of manners withering to the root, And of old honours, too, and passions high: Then may we ask, though pleased that thought should range Among the conquests of civility, Survives imagination -- to the change Superior? Help to virtue does she give? If not, O Mortals, better cease to live! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EXILED by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY SONNETS TO LAURA IN LIFE: 109 by PETRARCH A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE BROOK: SPRING by LAURA ABELL A FINE DAY ON LOUGH SWILLY by WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1824-1911) CAELIA: SONNETS: 1 by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) THE PLUCKY PRINCE by MAY BRYANT |