A VISION OF POETS.
185
His sunken cheeks out to the size
Of most unnatural jollities,
Because Anacreon looked jest-wise.
Of most unnatural jollities,
Because Anacreon looked jest-wise.
So with the rest.—It was a sight
For great world-laughter, as it might
For great world-wrath, with equal right!
For great world-laughter, as it might
For great world-wrath, with equal right!
Out came a speaker from that crowd,
To speak for all—in sleek and proud
Exordial periods, while he bowed
To speak for all—in sleek and proud
Exordial periods, while he bowed
His knee before the angel.—"Thus,
O angel, who hast called for us,
We bring thee service emulous,—
O angel, who hast called for us,
We bring thee service emulous,—
"Fit service from sufficient soul—
Hand-service, to receive world's dole—
Lip-service, in world's ear to roll
Hand-service, to receive world's dole—
Lip-service, in world's ear to roll
"Adjusted concords—soft enow
To hear the wine cups passing, through,
And not too grave to spoil the show.
To hear the wine cups passing, through,
And not too grave to spoil the show.
"Thou, certes, when thou askest more,
O sapient angel, leanest o'er
The window-sill of metaphor.
O sapient angel, leanest o'er
The window-sill of metaphor.
"To give our hearts up! fie!—That rage
Barbaric, antedates the age!
It is not done on any stage.
Barbaric, antedates the age!
It is not done on any stage.
"Because your scald or gleeman went
With seven or nine-stringed instrument
Upon his back—must ours be bent?
With seven or nine-stringed instrument
Upon his back—must ours be bent?
"We are not pilgrims, by your leave,
No, nor yet martyrs! if we grieve,
It is to rhyme to . . . summer eve.
No, nor yet martyrs! if we grieve,
It is to rhyme to . . . summer eve.
"And if we labour, it shall be
As suiteth best with our degree,
In after-dinner reverie."
As suiteth best with our degree,
In after-dinner reverie."
