Page:Poems, Emerson, 1847.djvu/57

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

45

FATE.


That you are fair or wise is vain,
Or strong, or rich, or generous;
You must have also the untaught strain
That sheds beauty on the rose.
There is a melody born of melody,
Which melts the world into a sea:
Toil could never compass it;
Art its height could never hit;
It came never out of wit;
But a music music-born
Well may Jove and Juno scorn.
Thy beauty, if it lack the fire
Which drives me mad with sweet desire,
What boots it? what the soldier's mail,

Unless he conquer and prevail?