 | The Poetical Works of (Richard Monckton Milnes) Lord Houghton |  |
38
THE CONCENTRATION OF ATHENS.
[_]
The Poet Keats, to whom the old Greek mind seemed instinctively
familiar, in an unpublished fragment, speaks of the Greek Poets as
“Bards who died content on pleasant sward,
Leaving great verse unto a little clan.” and continues with a prayer that he too may attain their old vigour, and sing
“Unheard,
Save of the quiet primrose and the span
Of Heaven and tew ears.”
Leaving great verse unto a little clan.” and continues with a prayer that he too may attain their old vigour, and sing
“Unheard,
Save of the quiet primrose and the span
Of Heaven and tew ears.”
Of Earth so much of human strength upgrew,
When thus were woven bonds that tighter drew
Round the Athenian heart than faith or race?
Thus patriotism could each soul imbue
With personal affections, face to face,
And home was felt in every public place,
And brotherhood was never rare or new.
Thus Wisdom, from the neighbouring Parthenon,
Down on the Areopagus could fix
A watchful gaze: thus from the rising Pnyx
The Orator's inspiring voice could reach
Half o'er the City, and his solemn speech
Was as a father's counsel to his son.
| The Poetical Works of (Richard Monckton Milnes) Lord Houghton | |