Poems Consisting Of Essays, Lyric, Elegiac, &c. By Thomas Dermody. Written between the 13th and 16th Year of his Age |
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AN ELEGY,
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AN ELEGY,
ON POETICAL DELUSION.
I
Vain, vain, my soul, to seek for bliss below,She's fled to Heav'n, and bids us seek her there:
On earth, what breast will guard the Child of woe?
What hand the front of pallid Sorrow clear?
II
But most the Poet feels!—disgrac'd and spurn'd,No parent o'er his ruin'd fortune weeps;
Silence, and Midnight see his bones inurn'd;
And o'er his tomb impassive dullness sleeps.
III
None views with awe that clay which Heav'n inspir'd,That clay, all vivid, with Promethean heat;
None crowns his spot with flow'rs, from noise retir'd;
None sings, to him who sung, the measure sweet.
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IV
What boots it with incessant care to toil,To bid the tragic Maid sublimely wail;
To raise on Humour's cheek the kindling smile,
Or, thrill the tender nerve with Pity's tale.
V
What boots it all?—when, to cold scorn a prey,No Patron checks young Merit's modest sighs,—
But some fond lip, in future time, shall say,
“Here, yet alive, the charming Poet lies.”
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