Classic Poem

WRITTEN AFTER WITNESSING SARAH BERNHARDT'S PERFORMANCE
OF THE PART OF " LA TOSCA "

I .

Forget the flowers of summer, even forget
The world-wide reign of daylight and the sun;
Share with the stars of night the glory of one
Star-crowned for ever, one whom never yet
Being born of heaven hath mortal equal met:
Forget the sands that through the hour-glass run;
Forget, disdain, till these charmed hours are done
The moans of grief, the storm-cries of regret

For just one moment lo! the peace of Art
Triumphant ever, let who will withstand,
Renews the brain and sanctifies the heart
For one thing sorrowing, that the power that gave
Nobly so much may raise not from the grave
Dead Shakespeare's genius, here in Shakespeare's land.


II .

Yet here in England, though dark dreams have sway,
Though in the sea-girt isle where blooms the rose
Art, rose-crowned, sea-voiced, hath a thousand foes,
When genius speaks ten thousand hearts obey.
On England's stage pale shadows have their day,
Then to the land of shades each shadow goes
And England wakes to welcome one who knows
What Art's deep soul through woman's voice can say

We who have worshipped from our natal hour
Art, following eager even her slightest glance,
Praise heaven that flowerless fields at length may flower,
That through the gloom Art's sunlit steps advance,
While England honours her whose matchless power
The gods who give to man first gave to France.