17.12.2012, 16:46
As he who found the rise of that which flood
The " sev'n-fold gates" like glory in its course,
And having traced the great though minor source,
Sank then, as if upon the field of blood,
Many who have attain'd the dazzling height,
To which ambition long has shown the way,
Whether with grandeur or with genius bright,
Fade as night's orb before the morning's ray.
Like him, who having reach'd the' sacred fire
Of Delphi's temple, likewise did attain
Life's extremest limit, sank to expire, —
Gain'd the priz'd goal, the temple's holy fane;
Or, who wheel'd his chariot to the sun,
But stopp'd his own career ere day's fair path was run.
The " sev'n-fold gates" like glory in its course,
And having traced the great though minor source,
Sank then, as if upon the field of blood,
Many who have attain'd the dazzling height,
To which ambition long has shown the way,
Whether with grandeur or with genius bright,
Fade as night's orb before the morning's ray.
Like him, who having reach'd the' sacred fire
Of Delphi's temple, likewise did attain
Life's extremest limit, sank to expire, —
Gain'd the priz'd goal, the temple's holy fane;
Or, who wheel'd his chariot to the sun,
But stopp'd his own career ere day's fair path was run.