 | Stones from The Quarry |  |
79
FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
When at the various gates, ill-guarded yet,The passages confused and intricate,
The entrances ill-lit, scarce adequate
To the great press and throng which to them set,
And, inexperienced, the gatekeepers get
Perplexed, and find out their mistakes too late,
A motley crowd assembles; at each gate
Of the new palace knock, and fume, and fret;
Oh, then let Wisdom, Argus-eyed, o'erlook
That mansion, and that household of the mind,
That graceless guests come not by sense, or book,
Or picture; oh, for none let Memory find
A lodging, save for guests of gentle kind,
Nor evil spirits pass in angels' cloak!
| Stones from The Quarry | |