Classic Poem

Record, O Muse, upon a golden page
That memorable hour now long gone by,
When, ere was saddened his prophetic eye
By the “abhorred approaches of old age,”
Precious discourse I had with Albion's Mage
And calm Iconoclast, who questioned why
Falsehood should flourish while the virtues die;
Who cast into the face of Wrong his gage.
Herald of Culture, Arnold came, a guest,
From charmed seclusion of poetic dream,
Learning and teaching the Ideal Best,
Perfection of humanity his theme,
Bearing the light and sweetness in his breast,
Of ancient lore and modern Academe.