Classic Poem

A DAM of poets! thou must once have felt
The Almighty's awful nearness unto thee;
Into the nostrils of thy soul seemed dealt
The breath of all the poets yet to be.
Not through long generations didst thou come,
But contact with the Almighty gave thee birth;
Charged with His breathing, what the mighty sum
Of all that thou hast given to the earth!
And is it said, thou often wroughtest so
That holy inspiration was profaned?
Ah! Adam's self hath taught — too well we know
How far he falls who hath such height attained.
Adam of poets, still, despite the dross, —
Thy truth the saviour that redeems from loss!