The works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow illustrated : vol. IV : poetical works volume one : earlier poems : translations : The Spanish student and other poems |
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THE POET OF MILETUS |
 | The works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |  |
THE POET OF MILETUS
In ancient days, when in the Ionian land,
The poet of Miletus, unto whom
The Ephesians gave three thousand golden pieces
For singing them one song, desired to add
Four chords unto the seven-chorded lyre,
The poet of Miletus, unto whom
The Ephesians gave three thousand golden pieces
For singing them one song, desired to add
Four chords unto the seven-chorded lyre,
That he might give a more complete expression
To all the feelings struggling at his heart,
He was forbidden by the popular vote.
This happened some three centuries before Christ!
To all the feelings struggling at his heart,
He was forbidden by the popular vote.
This happened some three centuries before Christ!
Here, too, the popular voice forbids the poet
To add a single chord unto his lyre,
Although he takes no gold from the Ephesians,
And would but give an utterance more complete
To all the voices of humanity,
Even the swart Ethiop's inarticulate woe.
And this is eighteen centuries after Christ!
To add a single chord unto his lyre,
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And would but give an utterance more complete
To all the voices of humanity,
Even the swart Ethiop's inarticulate woe.
And this is eighteen centuries after Christ!
| The works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow | |