Classic Poem

Great voices of the past she knows and loves,
And most of all the poets are her friends,
Such eager kinship in their singing moves,
And to their ancient mood her spirit bends;
Surrey his Geraldine to her makes known,
Sidney's highway of love her heart delights;
The faith her poets held she makes her own,
Nor thee, dear Saint whom Chauncer loved, she slights.

St. Valentine, this lady be thy care!
The days are evil, and thy service sweet
Uncherished dies from our ungentle race;
Another heart like hers when shalt thou meet?
Happy her fate be ever! With the prayer
Thy day I honour and my lips I grace.