Classic Poem

It came, the vision splendid,
By shimmering mists attended,
From the red peaks of dawn.
(And oh! could we recapture
Our childhood's wizard rapture!)
It led — I followed on.

'T was a celestial madness,
Glamour of love and gladness,
That made this place of tears
A dwelling rare and sightly
Possessed by Arthurs knightly
And stainless Guineveres.

It passed, the vision splendid,
In a dull vapour blended:
I climbed the hills it crossed.
(And oh! where goes that rapture
That we can not recapture?)
I followed — it was lost.

It was a fairy vision:
The grey world's harsh derision
Has quenched its glowing joy.
I know the pain and badness
The cruel strife and sadness
I knew not when a boy.

Yet still that vision splendid
Remains, though all seems ended,
A star-gleam in the mind.
(Ah! we may yet recapture
That wise and holy rapture!)
I follow — till I find.