Poems by Robert Southey
page 20 of 130 (15%)
page 20 of 130 (15%)
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And thou shalt one day at the throne of God
Render most strict account! O ye who gaze Enrapt on Beauty's fascinating form, Gaze on with love, and loving Beauty, learn To shun abhorrent all the mental eye Beholds deform'd and foul; for so shall Love Climb to the Source of Virtue. God of Truth! All-Just! All-Mighty! I should ill deserve Thy noblest gift, the gift divine of song, If, so content with ear-deep melodies [2] To please all profitless, I did not pour Severer strains; of Truth--eternal Truth, Unchanging Justice, universal Love. Such strains awake the soul to loftiest thoughts, Such strains the Blessed Spirits of the Good Waft, grateful incense, to the Halls of Heaven. The dying notes still murmur'd on the string, When from his throne arose the raptur'd King. About to speak he stood, and wav'd his hand, And all expectant sat the obedient band. Then just and gen'rous, thus the Monarch cries, "Be thine Zorobabel the well earned prize. "The purple robe of state thy form shall fold, "The beverage sparkle in thy cup of gold; "The golden couch, the car, and honor'd chain, "Requite the merits of thy favor'd strain, "And rais'd supreme the ennobled race among "Be call'd MY COUSIN for the victor song. |
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