18.12.2012, 13:38
Is not desire of fame an inspiring cause,
The prompter of genius, of varied art,
As one who, obeying th' Olympic laws,
Cherish'd the purpose of his bounding heart?
" The wish to live in the mem'ry of years"*
May be pronounced illusory and vain :
But free the spirit from the source of tears,
Or pluck the root of mem'ries that re main,
The heroes of the sov'reign Minstrel seem
As much on fire as are the fields of light,
Realizing then more than was its dream,
Altho' degeneracy of the soul's might ;
To be remember'd through commens'rate pow'r
Brings thought that with greatness fills e'en the present hour.
* See " The Pyramids."
The prompter of genius, of varied art,
As one who, obeying th' Olympic laws,
Cherish'd the purpose of his bounding heart?
" The wish to live in the mem'ry of years"*
May be pronounced illusory and vain :
But free the spirit from the source of tears,
Or pluck the root of mem'ries that re main,
The heroes of the sov'reign Minstrel seem
As much on fire as are the fields of light,
Realizing then more than was its dream,
Altho' degeneracy of the soul's might ;
To be remember'd through commens'rate pow'r
Brings thought that with greatness fills e'en the present hour.
* See " The Pyramids."