Classic Poem

II

When I defied the stars' derision
and threw the cloak of Hamlet down
forth stept ah not that king of vision
with golden trumpets round him blown

nor mail'd in silver Lohengrin
nor the lance-bearer Parsifal
bringing deliverance from sin
nor Axil wild and virginal

nor the nude beast in rage divine
loos'd on the earth with morning light
naught but a worm to writhe and twine
and shudder 'neath the vasty night

III

Impotent to release myself
from the weak Spirit of the age
must I or chink my fancy's pelf
or mock myself in futile rage

caught in the net of right and wrong
vex my faint heart with foolish din
without or soul to lift in song
or courage to accept my sin

For Youth and Life are swift in flight
Tell me dark Sibyl if I must
drag my half-souls until the night
thro' years that go to make me dust