Classic Poem

Spirit of ethereal birth!
Aërial visitant of earth!
Flashing vivid through the soul,
Warm as the spark Prometheus stole
Hither, Fancy, hither come;
'Neath thine iris wings I'll roam.

Take me to the crystal caves,
Glassy chambers of the waves;
Where the dolphin's golden back
Splashes gems around its track,
Cleaving through the rocky cells,
Green with weeds, and rich with shells;
Where the Nereids keep their court,
Where the mermaids hold their sport;
Where the syren sings to sleep
All the tenants of the deep;
Take me through the proud blue sea,
Show its beauties all to me!

Waft me where the stars appear,
Where the other worlds career;
Let me scan the dazzling scroll
God's hand only can unroll!
Let me hear the saints rejoice,
Giving praise with harp and voice;
Let me tread the welkin round,
Lulled in soft Elysian sound;
Let me rove the the fields of light,
Give their glories to my sight.

Take me where the fairies spring
Round about their moon-lit ring
Where the dancing elfin sprites
Consecrate their mystic rites;
Lead where Hippocrene's bright fount
Gushes down the flowery mount;
Where Apollo's hand bestows
Fadeless wreaths on poets' brows.
Hither, Fancy, hither come;
'Neath thine iris wings I'll roam!