The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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| VIII. |
 | IX. |
THE FOUNTS OF SONG
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| XI. |
 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
88
THE FOUNTS OF SONG
Whence springs the sweetness of pure golden rhyme
That fills the soul with fragrant dreams for hours?
From rose and lily and furze and pink and thyme:
The poet's earliest teachers are the flowers.
That fills the soul with fragrant dreams for hours?
From rose and lily and furze and pink and thyme:
The poet's earliest teachers are the flowers.
Then, when he craves the thunder for his strain,
The strength of song at which the centuries flee,
His stern inspiring motive he must gain
From the wild waters, worshipping the sea.
The strength of song at which the centuries flee,
His stern inspiring motive he must gain
From the wild waters, worshipping the sea.
Another step—and upward. Let the race
Of man pour through him its tempestuous might!
Let him find marvel in the lowliest face
And on the dullest brow a crown of light.
Of man pour through him its tempestuous might!
Let him find marvel in the lowliest face
And on the dullest brow a crown of light.
89
Another step—still upward. From above
There flows an inspiration higher than this:
Through woman's pureness speaks the eternal love,
As woman's beauty speaks through woman's kiss.
There flows an inspiration higher than this:
Through woman's pureness speaks the eternal love,
As woman's beauty speaks through woman's kiss.
Another step—the last. When all these things
Are one by one discerned, all pathways trod,
Choosing the road that mocks the eagle's wings
The poet's heart must seek the heart of God.
Are one by one discerned, all pathways trod,
Choosing the road that mocks the eagle's wings
The poet's heart must seek the heart of God.
Aug. 14, 1891.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |