Mistress Science, strong and fair, Now can seize the nimble air, Press it, crush it, torture it, With her wild, titanic wit, To a liquid blue and cold, Tamely by the gallon sold. All the graces of the sky In that deadly fluid die. Bathe in it a swallow's wing: He no more will fly or sing. Dip a rose therein: alas! It becomes a rose of glass. Such a transformation dread Into coldness dull and dead They create who force and press Dear religion's kindliness To a cold and formal thing, Shorn of fragrance, bare of wing. Let religion range on high Through the reaches of the sky; Let the fruitful dews expand Till they brighten every land; Flowers and birds and sunny cheer Grace religion's atmosphere! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NAMING FOR LOVE by HAYDEN CARRUTH SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: TENNESSEE CLAFLIN SHOPE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS NORTH WIND TO DUTIFUL BEAST MIDWAY BETWEEN DIAL & FOOT OF GARDEN CLOCK by MARIANNE MOORE THE LAST JUDGMENT by JOHN CROWE RANSOM IN A STRANGE CITY by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE VOICE OF THE ANCIENT BARD, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE |