IF thou indeed derive thy light from Heaven, Then, to the measure of that heaven-born light, Shine, Poet! in thy place, and be content: -- The stars pre-eminent in magnitude, And they that from the zenith dart their beams, (Visible though they be to half the earth, Though half a sphere be conscious of their brightness) Are yet of no diviner origin, No purer essence, than the one that burns, Like an untended watch-fire on the ridge Of some dark mountain; or than those which seem Humbly to hang, like twinkling winter lamps, Among the branches of the leafless trees. All are the undying offspring of one Sire: Then, to the measure of the light vouchsafed, Shine, Poet! in thy place, and be content. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WOOING by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE SURRENDER AT APPOMATTOX [APRIL 9, 1865] by HERMAN MELVILLE EVERYONE SANG by SIEGFRIED SASSOON THE TRANSLATION by MARK VAN DOREN THE MYSTIC TRUMPETER by WALT WHITMAN THE TWO FIRES by JOSEPH BEAUMONT THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 48. FAREWELL TO JULIET (10) by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |