Classic Poem

Methought I wandered dimly on,
But few faint stars above me shone,
When Love drew near:
‘The night,’ said he, ‘is dark and damp,
To guide thy steps receive this lamp
Of crystal clear’.

Love lent his torch,—with ready hand
The splendid lamp by his command
I strove to light;
But strove in vain; no flame arose,
Unchanged, unfired as moonlit snows,
It sparkled bright.

Again on wings as swift as thought
The boy a glittering cresset brought
Of sunny gold:
Full sure 'twas worth a monarch's gaze,
And how I toiled to make it blaze
Can scarce be told.

Deprived of hope I stood perplexed,
And, through my tears, what offered next
Obscurely floated:
One other lamp Love bade me take,
Mine eye its colour, size or make,
But little noted;

Till soon, (what joys my soul inspire!)
From far within a steady fire
Soft upward steals;
And O how many a tender hue,
What lines to loveliest nature true,
That beam reveals!

Now what reck I of burnished gold,
Or crystal cast in statelier mould?—
This lamp be mine,
Which make my path where'er I go,
With warm reflective colours glow,
And light divine.