Page:The poems of George Eliot (Crowell, 1884).djvu/478

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
440
POEMS OF GEORGE ELIOT.

But he, in liberty of song,
Fearless of death or other wrong,
With full spondaic toll
Poured forth his mighty soul:


Poured forth the strain his dream had taught,
A nome with lofty passion fraught
Such as makes battles won
On fields of Marathon.


The last long vowels trembled then
As awe within those wolfish men:
They said, with mutual stare,
Some god was present there.


But lo! Arion leaped on high,
Ready, his descant done, to die;
Not asking, "Is it well?"
Like a pierced eagle fell.


1873