Metrical tales, and other poems; - Electric Scotland

THE poet's kingdom. 177
The spirit of Beauty converses with me
FrorQ star-spangled sky and sun-gilded sea ;
And cherubim, stealing the voices of birds,
Address me in language surpassing all words !
The great of all ages, in action and thought.
By dainties untempted, by flatteries unbought,
Come into my dwelling, and sit by my side.
With never a semblance of shyness or pride.
The Greek and the Eoman, the German and Frank,
The foremost in wisdom, the highest in rank,
With those of my country most widely renowned.
As guests in my poor little chamber are found.
A worldling might enter with practical looks.
And see in my chamber but books—faded books ;
But back to their heroes my vision extends,
And they speak to my heart the language of friends.
Eich dullards pass by me with impudent scorn,
For coinless my purse i°, my raiment long-worn ;
And not for their eyes is the splendour which gleams
Bound a child of the muse in his Kingdom of Dreams.
Enchained to their Lucre—the god of their love
The wing's of the spirit ne'er lift them above ;
They hear not those accents so dulcet and clear.
Which ring at this moment thus, thus on mine ear,
" Go, string the lyre. Poet, and gladden the earth !
I, Hope, shall go with thee, who smiled on thy birth
Faith, Honour, and Justice, thy steps shall attend.
The Fancies surround thee, the Muse be thy friend.