Martyr's Memorial

Such natural debts of love our Oxford knows, So many ancient dues undesecrate, I marvel how the landmark of a hate For witness unto future time she chose; How out of her corroborate ranks arose The three, in great denial only great, For Art’s enshrining!… Thus, averted straight, My soul to seek a holier captain goes: That sweet adventurer whom Truth befell When as the synagogues were watching not; Whose crystal name on royal Oriel Hangs like a shield; who, to an outland spot Led hence, beholds his Star, and counts it well Of all his dear domain to live forgot.

Collection: 

More from Poet

  • I hear in my heart, I hear in its ominous pulses, All day, the commotion of sinewy, mane-tossing horses; All night, from their cells, the importunate tramping and neighing. Cowards and laggards fall back; but alert to the saddle, Straight, grim, and abreast, vault our weather-worn, galloping...

  • The Gusty morns are here, When all the reeds ride low with level spear; And on such nights as lured us far of yore, Down rocky alleys yet, and thro’ the pine, The Hound-star and the pagan Hunter shine: But I and thou, ah, field-fellow of mine, Together roam no more. Soft showers go laden now...

  • The Ox he openeth wide the Doore And from the Snowe he calls her inne, And he hath seen her smile therefore, Our Ladye without Sinne. Now soone from Sleepe A Starre shall leap, And soone arrive both King and Hinde; Amen, Amen: But oh, the place co’d I but finde! The Ox...

  • High above hate I dwell: O storms! farewell. Though at my sill your daggered thunders play, Lawless and loud to-morrow as to-day, To me they sound more small Than a young fay’s footfall: Soft and far-sunken, forty fathoms low In Long Ago, And winnowed into silence on that wind Which takes wars...

  • I would unto my fair restore A simple thing: The flushing cheek she had before! Out-velveting No more, no more, By Severn shore, The carmine grape, the moth’s auroral wing. Ah, say how winds in flooding grass Unmoor the rose; Or guileful ways the salmon pass To sea, disclose; For so, alas, With...