Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/304

266 "Only a few the life-stream's shore

With safe unwandering feet explore;

Untired its movement bright attend,

Follow its windings to the end.

Then from its brimming waves their eye

Drinks up delighted ecstasy,

And its deep-toned, melodious voice

Forever makes their ear rejoice.

They speak! the happiness divine

They feel runs o'er in every line;

Its spell is round them like a shower;

It gives them pathos, gives them power.

No painter yet hath such a way,

Nor no musician made, as they,

And gathered on immortal knolls

Such lovely flowers for cheering souls.

Beethoven, Raphael, cannot reach

The charm which Homer, Shakspeare, teach.

To these, to these, their thankful race

Gives, then, the first, the fairest place;

And brightest is their glory's sheen,

For greatest hath their labor been."

PERSISTENCY OF POETRY.

A CAUTION TO POETS.