The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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| II. |
 | III. |
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COMPENSATION
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| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
114
COMPENSATION
The poet hath to sing though no man hears,
And though the dreary years
Bring nought of sympathy:
He hath the sun and sea.
And though the dreary years
Bring nought of sympathy:
He hath the sun and sea.
The poet hath to love though hope be dead
And garlandless his head:
Though no man take his part,
He hath the rose's heart.
And garlandless his head:
Though no man take his part,
He hath the rose's heart.
The poet hath to sing though all his words
Be as the notes of birds
Flung to the bitter breeze:
Yet hath he the blue seas.
Be as the notes of birds
Flung to the bitter breeze:
Yet hath he the blue seas.
The poet hath to love though all his brain
Be torn with lonely pain:
Devoid of love's delight,
He hath the sweet wild night.
Be torn with lonely pain:
Devoid of love's delight,
He hath the sweet wild night.
115
The poet hath to sing though fools surround
With mocking weary sound:
While the coarse hearer raves
He watches the sea-waves.
With mocking weary sound:
While the coarse hearer raves
He watches the sea-waves.
The poet hath to sing though all be dark,
Yea not one golden spark:
He hath his golden lyre
And his own godhead's fire.
Yea not one golden spark:
He hath his golden lyre
And his own godhead's fire.
The poet hath to love though all be lost,
Love, reckless of the cost:
Travelling the earth flame-shod,
With the great stars and God.
Love, reckless of the cost:
Travelling the earth flame-shod,
With the great stars and God.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |