The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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| X. |
| XI. |
 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
107
XCIX. TO GREAT SPIRITS
I bring thee to the spirits of all the past:
To Dante and to Shelley, and to each
Whose gift of high imperishable speech
Has made on earth their sacred memories last.
Before thee, lo! their glittering crowns they cast—
Higher than theirs the throne that thou shalt reach:
Sweeter the wonders that thou hast to teach:
Grander thy victory, and thy realm more vast.
To Dante and to Shelley, and to each
Whose gift of high imperishable speech
Has made on earth their sacred memories last.
Before thee, lo! their glittering crowns they cast—
Higher than theirs the throne that thou shalt reach:
Sweeter the wonders that thou hast to teach:
Grander thy victory, and thy realm more vast.
Thou art the fairest flower of all the flowers
Poets have sung of with bright burning lips:
Their beauty my white blossom doth eclipse:
They are as leaves, as branches, on thy bowers,—
Thou art the one eternal rose that shines
Beyond all wreaths the spirit of passion twines.
Poets have sung of with bright burning lips:
Their beauty my white blossom doth eclipse:
They are as leaves, as branches, on thy bowers,—
Thou art the one eternal rose that shines
Beyond all wreaths the spirit of passion twines.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |