Monday, January 31, 2005

"Past Ruined Ilion"

It occurred to me that in order for my poem to make sense, the reader would perhaps do well to realize that it is a response to a poem, written by Walter Savage Landor. I append it below.

Past ruined Ilion Helen lives,
Alcestis rises from the shades;
Verse calls them forth; 'tis verse that gives
Immortal youth to mortal maids.

Soon shall oblivion's deepening veil
Hide all the peopled hills you see,
The gay, the proud, while lovers hail
These many summers you and me.

The tear for fading beauty check,
For passing glory cease to sigh;
One form shall rise above the wreck,
One name, Ianthe, shall not die.

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