 | The Poetical Works of (Richard Monckton Milnes) Lord Houghton |  |
64
WRITTEN IN PETRARCH'S HOUSE AT ARQUA,
AMONG THE EUGANEAN HILLS.
Petrarch! I would that there might be
In this thy household sanctuary
No visible monument of thee:
In this thy household sanctuary
No visible monument of thee:
The Fount that whilom played before thee,
The Roof that rose in shelter o'er thee,
The low fair Hills that still adore thee,—
The Roof that rose in shelter o'er thee,
The low fair Hills that still adore thee,—
I would no more; thy memory
Must loathe all cold reality,
Thought-worship only is for thee.
Must loathe all cold reality,
Thought-worship only is for thee.
They say thy Tomb lies there below;
What want I with the marble show?
I am content,—I will not go:
What want I with the marble show?
I am content,—I will not go:
For though by Poesy's high grace
Thou saw'st, in thy calm resting-place,
God, Love, and Nature face to face;
Thou saw'st, in thy calm resting-place,
God, Love, and Nature face to face;
Yet now that thou art wholly free,
How can it give delight to see
That sign of thy captivity?
How can it give delight to see
That sign of thy captivity?
| The Poetical Works of (Richard Monckton Milnes) Lord Houghton | |