Dust on the page, from these forgetful years! I brush it off, to see the fading date Written in boyish hand; to find through tears The lad's dear name, inscribed with all the state...
The chime of silver bells; the sweet Wild rush of fairy wings and feet; The fluting birds of dawn; the small And crystal music of the waterfall. Or piping of some lone and hidden faun;...
Tainted with death? Ah then, the taint is sweet! As if God took the essences of life And burned them in a brazier at his feet, The smoke of them ascending rich and rife...
A wild spring upland all this charmed page, Where, in the early dawn, the maenads rage, Mad, chaste, and lovely! This, a darker spot Where lone Antigone bewails her lot....
Dawn, midnight, noonday? What are times to thee Man's Grief art thou, that moanest with the light, And starest dumb at evening, and at night Dost wake and dream and slumber fitfully!...
Fades the great pyramid, the blank walls fade! And thou, immortal boy, dost walk with me Along that grove from out whose deeper shade The nightingale sings living ecstasy. ...
Oh no, not this! This is a Roman face, Superb, composed, with such a matron grace As that of great Cornelia, never thee. Young princess of an ancient poetry!
The night would sadden us with wind and rain Let's to sweet Comedy and scorn the night! Let's read together: how, by silver light, The fairies went, a most enchanting train....
Ah, give again the pitiless snow and sleet November's leaves, or raving winds, that beat The heart's own doors, or rain's long ache and fret! Only, not spring and all this delicate sweet!...
Pass, pass, you fiery spirit! Never bland And halting never! Hosted round to-night, At the great wall, with spears of lifted light, Held by embattled seraphim, who stand...