Classic Poem

WHEREIN HIS LADY IS THE REPOSITORY OF EVERY EXCELLENCE

Her noble blood beats in humility,
So golden the high heart, so pure the mind,
At once the flower and the fruit combined;
Her happy spirit mocks the solemn eye:
Thus, by her proud plumed aristocracy
Of stars — nay, by that Sovereign who enshrined
In her worth, honour, courage — she defined
The poet's dream — the poet's misery.
Virtue and Love in richest union dwell;
Her daily loveliness and natural grace
Blend to announce a noiseless miracle;
Her eyes cast light for shadow on her face,
Making the midday dark, the night a well
Of fire, the bitter sweet, absence a bell!