"DEATH AND TRANSFIGURATION OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: A DOUBLE TERZANELLE"
I left her gorgeous halls--nor mourn'd to leave
The insolent race, that like a dragon follows,
Because it pleases them to have been relieved.
But for pursuit of virtue and of knowledge
That have a double life, which thus is made:
The insolent race, that like a dragon follows
Would certainly be taxed and overladen;
However, after times shall view these deeds
That have a double life, which thus is made
Towards the royal river with such speed
Through the balmy air of night
However after times shall view these deeds
If we go far enough? You have no right
Ye gods, had gifts like these been permanent
Through the balmy air of night
Beside that flood, where ocean has no vaunt?
To the turtledove that listens, while she gloats
(Ye gods, had gifts like these been permanent!),
Tarnish an honored house, and nuptial rites
May take the face and shape of certainty
To the turtledove that listens, while she gloats.
Slow it behoveth our descent to be,
And sound alone that from the spirit sprang
May take the face and shape of certainty
And ope the town, and to the ramparts drag
Of him and his employment. Let the moon
And sound alone that from the spirit sprang
Far brighter than the moon in the serene
A blood-red thing that writhes from out
Of him and his employment. Let the moon
Stand, breathless in the combat, front to front.
I left her gorgeous halls--nor mourn’d to leave
A blood-red thing that writhes from out
Because it pleases them to have been relieved.
(Lines by E A Poe, Longfellow’s Dante, E A Robinson, & Cranch’s Vergil.)
I left her gorgeous halls--nor mourn'd to leave
The insolent race, that like a dragon follows,
Because it pleases them to have been relieved.
But for pursuit of virtue and of knowledge
That have a double life, which thus is made:
The insolent race, that like a dragon follows
Would certainly be taxed and overladen;
However, after times shall view these deeds
That have a double life, which thus is made
Towards the royal river with such speed
Through the balmy air of night
However after times shall view these deeds
If we go far enough? You have no right
Ye gods, had gifts like these been permanent
Through the balmy air of night
Beside that flood, where ocean has no vaunt?
To the turtledove that listens, while she gloats
(Ye gods, had gifts like these been permanent!),
Tarnish an honored house, and nuptial rites
May take the face and shape of certainty
To the turtledove that listens, while she gloats.
Slow it behoveth our descent to be,
And sound alone that from the spirit sprang
May take the face and shape of certainty
And ope the town, and to the ramparts drag
Of him and his employment. Let the moon
And sound alone that from the spirit sprang
Far brighter than the moon in the serene
A blood-red thing that writhes from out
Of him and his employment. Let the moon
Stand, breathless in the combat, front to front.
I left her gorgeous halls--nor mourn’d to leave
A blood-red thing that writhes from out
Because it pleases them to have been relieved.
(Lines by E A Poe, Longfellow’s Dante, E A Robinson, & Cranch’s Vergil.)
