Classic Poem

Doctor , I pray you, do no more wrong
To the drugged dog there in the horrid room.
Come, unmuzzle; disclose how the stars prolong
Their lines of light through the infinite gloom.
And how life grew in the young earth's womb.
Then I'll tell you how the bell's ding-dong
Holds sweet talk with the birds i' the broom,
And the Poet's heart is astir with song.

Sage, who knowest to trace the throng
Of world-thoughts further than bards presume —
Say how grows the weak babe wise and strong,
And how is Thought born, and by whom
Can the Fates be lured from the pitiless Loom,
And what is Right, and what is Wrong,
Then I'll tell you why the breakers boom
And the Poet's heart is astir with song.

Priest, tell me now, ere the even song,
How God lay hid in the Virgin's womb,
Who filleth the depth and height of the long
Sky-reaches, and how bread should become
His Flesh that rose from the Sacred Tomb.
Then I'll tell you how the clouds give tongue
To God's message, the dream of the grand sweet doom,
And the Poet's heart is astir with song.

E NVOI

Princess, say how the heart makes room
For love in the halls where the statesmen throng,
Then I'll tell you why the roses bloom,
And the Poet's heart is astir with song.