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44
THE LOST GENIUS.
A giant came to me when I was young,
My instant will to ask—
My earthly Servant, from the earth he sprung
Eager for any task!
My instant will to ask—
My earthly Servant, from the earth he sprung
Eager for any task!
“What wilt thou, O my Master?” he began;
“Whatever can be,” I.
“Say thy first wish—whate'er thou wilt I can,”
The Strong Slave made reply.
“Whatever can be,” I.
“Say thy first wish—whate'er thou wilt I can,”
The Strong Slave made reply.
“Enter the earth and bring its riches forth,
For pearls explore the sea.”
He brought, from East and West and South and North,
All treasures back to me!
For pearls explore the sea.”
He brought, from East and West and South and North,
All treasures back to me!
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“Build me a palace wherein I may dwell.”
“Awake and see it done,”
Spake his great voice at dawn. Oh, miracle!
That glitter'd in the sun!
“Awake and see it done,”
Spake his great voice at dawn. Oh, miracle!
That glitter'd in the sun!
“Find me the princess fit for my embrace,
The vision of my breast;
For her search every clime and every race.”
My yearning arms were bless'd!
The vision of my breast;
For her search every clime and every race.”
My yearning arms were bless'd!
“Get me all knowledge.” Sages with their lore,
And poets with their songs,
Crowded my palace halls at every door,
In still, obedient throngs!
And poets with their songs,
Crowded my palace halls at every door,
In still, obedient throngs!
“Now bring me wisdom.” Long ago he went;
(The cold task harder seems:)
He did not hasten with the last content—
The rest, meanwhile, were dreams!
(The cold task harder seems:)
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The rest, meanwhile, were dreams!
Houseless and poor, on many a trackless road,
Without a guide, I found
A white-hair'd phantom, with the world his load
Bending him to the ground!
Without a guide, I found
A white-hair'd phantom, with the world his load
Bending him to the ground!
“I bring thee wisdom, Master.” Is it he,
I marvel'd then, in sooth?
“Thy palace-builder, beauty-seeker, see!”
I saw the Ghost of Youth!
I marvel'd then, in sooth?
“Thy palace-builder, beauty-seeker, see!”
I saw the Ghost of Youth!
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