The Poetical Works of Aubrey de Vere Volume 1 (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: ODE TO THE PLANET MERCURY. 1. In' these dull, proud days Few how few there be Songs or eyes that raise, Star of Joy, to thee ! Profane, our hearts we spend On earthly loves and wars; Or kindle factory fires, far-kenned With beam as red as Mars. 2. Not now the Poets soar To Heaven, or tempt the seas: On clouds and trees they pore; Or men, dim-seen ' like trees, ' Through melting mists that loom. Of metaphysic dreams;? ()r bend in apathetic gloom Over Lethean streams. Too fierce delights will come unbidden ! (lo Paean, lo sing) Too leaden thoughts are wisely chidden? Such moods let Saturn bring. Mirth is thine, and witching words That thrill, not jar, our lute-strung hearts; Devices sweet, and jocund chords, And art of life?the art of arts ! O'er the woodland promontory I beheld thee rise alone, Car divine, and Youth whose glory Lit that argent throne. Winged Helm I knew, and eyes Smiling glance with glance pursuing? They shine, not flash, with sweet surprise Winning Earth ere wooing ! Lo ! that keen, exulting gladness (Spite of Phoebus, lo sing) Pierces all the heart of sadness With bright, heavenly sting: And preaches, he is wiser-witted Who plays the wanton knave in jest, Than those who live of joy self-cheated, By false cares depressed. Hermes to his cavern hollow (lo Paean, lo sing) Lured the bright herd of Apollo, And mocked the Delphic King, As, bending his great brow, he pondered Why the Babe this feat had done: From maze to maze the Augur wandered, Nor guessed that?cause 'was none. New-born he slipped through bowers of myrtle (lo Paean, lo sing), YOL. I. E And, circumventing, scooped a turtle, And wrought with bridge and string. O teach our kind, those wande...