Poems (Frances Elizabeth Browne)/Ode to poesy
ODE TO POESY.
Hair, heaven-born Poesy!—heaven-born, for all
Of good or fair proceeds, and must, from heaven,—
Lead me a willing votary in thy train;
An humble one, indeed, but one whose heart
Would fain receive thee to its inmost core,
And cherish thee while vital heat remains;
One who would prize thee as a valued gem
Of countless worth, and bright and glorious lustre;
One who would love thee, one who loves thee now,
One who will ever love thee, as the friend
Of virtue, wisdom, pity, and philanthropy;
One, sweet Poesy, who ne'er would barter thee for sordid wealth,
Or sully thy pure flame with flattery's incense,
Basely to court the smiles of earthly greatness.
And are there any such? There are, 't is true;
And pity 't is 't is true, and shame as well as pity.
But few are they who thus pollute the fount
Of famed Castalius,—sweet, pellucid draught!
Then lead me, Poesy, to thy sweet stream.
Briton may surely boast of her Parnassus;
For thou hast visited her sea-girt cliffs,
And deigned to animate her bards to rapture.
Greece had her Homer, England boasts a Milton.
Of good or fair proceeds, and must, from heaven,—
Lead me a willing votary in thy train;
An humble one, indeed, but one whose heart
Would fain receive thee to its inmost core,
And cherish thee while vital heat remains;
One who would prize thee as a valued gem
Of countless worth, and bright and glorious lustre;
One who would love thee, one who loves thee now,
One who will ever love thee, as the friend
Of virtue, wisdom, pity, and philanthropy;
One, sweet Poesy, who ne'er would barter thee for sordid wealth,
Or sully thy pure flame with flattery's incense,
Basely to court the smiles of earthly greatness.
And are there any such? There are, 't is true;
And pity 't is 't is true, and shame as well as pity.
But few are they who thus pollute the fount
Of famed Castalius,—sweet, pellucid draught!
Then lead me, Poesy, to thy sweet stream.
Briton may surely boast of her Parnassus;
For thou hast visited her sea-girt cliffs,
And deigned to animate her bards to rapture.
Greece had her Homer, England boasts a Milton.