 | Impressions of Italy and Other Poems |  |
152
SELF GOVERNMENT.
Oh! what is this dangerous tampering with peace,
What means, foolish heart, thy perplexed hesitation?
Let the dream, the delusion pass over and cease,
Or is't, thou false, vain, fevered brain, thy creation?
What means, foolish heart, thy perplexed hesitation?
Let the dream, the delusion pass over and cease,
Or is't, thou false, vain, fevered brain, thy creation?
What means this wild trouble—what mean these fond sighs?
This hurrying confusion—this dreamy distraction?
Even now let me rend this dim veil from mine eyes,
And plunge in the World of Adventure and Action!
This hurrying confusion—this dreamy distraction?
Even now let me rend this dim veil from mine eyes,
And plunge in the World of Adventure and Action!
These Phantasies nursed but in idlesse and calm,
The breath of Exertion shall speedily banish,
And the stormiest and roughest of Showers were but balm,
Could they bid these strange Visions fade swiftly and vanish.
The breath of Exertion shall speedily banish,
And the stormiest and roughest of Showers were but balm,
Could they bid these strange Visions fade swiftly and vanish.
153
Then arise, weak and rash One, be strong, tutored heart,
And cast to the winds all these follies and fancies,
Loftier things seek to learn!—try a far worthier part!—
'Tis Self-government still that all gladness enhances!
And cast to the winds all these follies and fancies,
Loftier things seek to learn!—try a far worthier part!—
'Tis Self-government still that all gladness enhances!
Yes! away with these vapourous chimæras and vain—
Away with winged Fancy's too high-wrought effusions;
Let me subject them now unto Reason's stern reign,
And check this dark inroad of dreams and illusions!
Away with winged Fancy's too high-wrought effusions;
Let me subject them now unto Reason's stern reign,
And check this dark inroad of dreams and illusions!
Oh! if many would pause at the first fatal signs
Of Danger and Harm—at the opening and onset,
Life's Firmament then, that still changefully shines,
Might not darken and threaten so ofttimes at Sunset!
Of Danger and Harm—at the opening and onset,
Life's Firmament then, that still changefully shines,
Might not darken and threaten so ofttimes at Sunset!
| Impressions of Italy and Other Poems | |