Classic Poem

" O conquering poet, thou that hast
The whole world at thy feet,
What laurel-garlands crown thy past!
Is not the present sweet?

Poet.

" I'd fling away my crown of bay,
Lose it without one throe,
To feel beside my own to-day
The tender heart I flung away
Long, long ago!

" O statesman, thou that guidest things
With godlike strength of will,
Thou art more regal than earth's kings;
They hear thee, and are still. "

Statesman.

" I shape the world continually,
I lay its monarchs low,
And yet I'd give the world to see
The dead eyes smile that smiled at me
Long, long ago! "

" O warrior, thou that carriest high
Thy grey victorious head,
What paeans echo to the sky
At thy war-horse's tread! "

Warrior.

" I heed them not. I long to hear
The child's speech, soft and slow,
That used to sound upon mine ear,
So sweet, so pure, so silver-clear,
Many and many and many a year
Ago! "