legends and lyrics- first series(传奇和抒情歌谣1)-第22章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
cannot bear for meaner things Their sound to desecrate。
For every day they are not meet； Or for a careless tone； They are for
rarest； and most sweet； And noblest use alone。
One word is POET： which is flung So carelessly away； When such as
you and I have sung； We hear it； day by day。
Men pay it for a tender phrase Set in a cadenced rhyme： I keep it as a
crown of praise To crown the kings of time。
And LOVE： the slightest feelings； stirred By trivial fancy； seek
Expression in that golden word They tarnish while they speak。
Nay； let the heart's slow； rare decree； That word in reverence keep
Silence herself should only be More sacred and more deep。
FOR EVER： men have grown at length To use that word； to raise
Some feeble protest into strength； Or turn some tender phrase。
It should be said in awe and fear By true heart and strong will； And
burn more brightly year by year； A starry witness still。
HONOUR： all trifling hearts are fond Of that divine appeal； And
men； upon the slightest bond； Set it as slighter seal。
That word should meet a noble foe Upon a noble field； And echolike
a deadly blow Turned by a silver shield。
Trust me； the worth of words is such They guard all noble things； And
that this rash irreverent touch Has jarred some golden strings。
For what the lips have lightly said The heart will lightly hold； And
things on which we daily tread Are lightly bought and sold。
The sun of every day will bleach The costliest purple hue。 And so our
common daily speech Discolours what was true。
But as you keep some thoughts apart In sacred honoured care； If in the
silence of your heart； Their utterance too be rare；
Then； while a thousand words repeat Unmeaning clamours all；
Melodious golden echoes sweet Shall answer when you call。
133
… Page 134…
LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
134
