bearest, I. AIREST of the Destinies, Keener far thy lightnings are And the smile thou wearest Wraps thee as a star Is wrapt in light. II. Could Arethuse to her forsaken urn From Alpheus and the bitter Doris run, Or could the morning shafts of purest light Again into the quivers of the Sun Be gathered could one thought from its wild flight Return into the temple of the brain Without a change, without a stain, - III. A star has fallen upon the earth A quenchless atom of immortal light, A cresset shaken from the constellations. And unextinct in that cold source Guides the sphere which is its prison, Like an angelic spirit pent In a form of mortal birth, Till, as a spirit half arisen Shatters its charnel, it has rent, The thin and painted garment of the Earth, Consuming all its forms of living death. Fragment: "I Would Not Be a King" WOULD not be a king- enough Of woe it is to love; The path to power is steep and rough, And tempests reign above. I would not climb the imperial throne; 'Tis built on ice which fortune's sun Thaws in the height of noon, Then farewell, king, yet were I one Care would not come so soon. Would he and I were far away Keeping flocks on Himalay! IKE the ghost of a dear friend dead Is Time long past. A tone which is now for ever fled, A hope which is now for ever past, II. There were sweet dreams in the night And, was it sadness or delight, Each day a shadow onward cast Which made us wish it yet might last That Time long past. III. There is regret, almost remorse, 'Tis like a child's beloved corse A father watches, till at last Fragment on Keats Who Desired That on His Tomb ERE lieth One whose name was H writ on water." But, ere the breath that could erase it blew, Death, in remorse for that fell slaughter, Death, the immortalizing winter, flew torrent grew A scroll of crystal, blazoning the name of Adonais. |