 | Poems (1885) |  |
295
DANTE AND HIS VERSES.
Dante had writ two lines:—the lines
Talked;—Quoth the one, “Fame's gateway shines
Open for us.”
Talked;—Quoth the one, “Fame's gateway shines
Open for us.”
“Oh! 'tis but ink
We are!” says t'other.
We are!” says t'other.
“Dost thou think
Thoughts perish?” the first line replied;
Thoughts perish?” the first line replied;
“What's Thought but Nought?” the second cried.
“Nay! feel'st thou not th' immortal stir
In every word and character?”
Asks one.
In every word and character?”
Asks one.
Sighs t'other, “Not a jot!
I feel dead letters!”
I feel dead letters!”
296
To the spot
Comes Dante, reads his lines;—thinks deep:—
Then blots one verse, and one will keep.
They knew!—his pen was Destiny!
One was to live, and one to die.
Comes Dante, reads his lines;—thinks deep:—
Then blots one verse, and one will keep.
They knew!—his pen was Destiny!
One was to live, and one to die.
| Poems (1885) | |