The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott Edited by his Son Edwin Elliott ... A New and Revised Edition: Two Volumes |
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 | The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott |  |
A POET.
Child of the Hopeless! two hearts broke
When thou wast orphan'd here:
They left a treasure in thy breast,
The soul of Pity's tear.
And thou must be—not what thou wilt;—
Say then, what would'st thou be?
“A Poet!” Oh, if thou would'st steep
Deep thoughts in ecstasy,
When thou wast orphan'd here:
They left a treasure in thy breast,
The soul of Pity's tear.
And thou must be—not what thou wilt;—
Say then, what would'st thou be?
“A Poet!” Oh, if thou would'st steep
Deep thoughts in ecstasy,
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Nor poet of the rich be thou,
Nor poet of the poor;
Nor harper of the swarming town,
Nor minstrel of the moor;
But be the bard of all mankind,
The prophet of all time,
And tempt the saints in heav'n to steal
Earth's truth-created rhyme.
Nor poet of the poor;
Nor harper of the swarming town,
Nor minstrel of the moor;
But be the bard of all mankind,
The prophet of all time,
And tempt the saints in heav'n to steal
Earth's truth-created rhyme.
Be the Columbus of a world
Where wisdom knows not fear;
The Homer of a race of men
Who need not sword and spear.
God in thy heart, and God in them,
If thou to men canst show,
Thou makest mortals angels here,
Their home a heav'n below.
Where wisdom knows not fear;
The Homer of a race of men
Who need not sword and spear.
God in thy heart, and God in them,
If thou to men canst show,
Thou makest mortals angels here,
Their home a heav'n below.
Upon a rock thou sett'st thy feet,
And callest Death thy slave:
“Here lies a man!” Eternity
Shall write upon thy grave;
“A Bard lies here!—O softly tread,
Ye never-wearied years!
And bless, O World, a memory
Immortal as thy tears!”
And callest Death thy slave:
“Here lies a man!” Eternity
Shall write upon thy grave;
“A Bard lies here!—O softly tread,
Ye never-wearied years!
And bless, O World, a memory
Immortal as thy tears!”
| The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott | |