Page:Poems of Emma Lazarus vol 2.djvu/207

Rh Where is the man who has been tried and found strong and sound ? Where is the friend of reason and of knowledge ? I see only sceptics and weaklings. I see only prisoners in the durance of the senses. And every fool and every spendthrift Thinks himself as great a master as Aristotle. Think'st thou that they have written poems ? Call'st thou that a Song ? I call it the cackling of ravens. The zeal of the prophet must free poesy From the embrace of wanton youths. My song I have inscribed on the forehead of Time, They know and hate it — for it is lofty.