To Benjamin Robert Haydon

Great spirits now on earth are sojourning: He of the cloud, the cataract, the lake, Who on Helvellyn’s summit, wide awake, Catches his freshness from Archangel’s wing: He of the rose, the violet, the spring, The social smile, the chain for Freedom’s sake: And lo! whose steadfastness would never take A meaner sound than Raphael’s whispering. And other spirits there are, standing apart Upon the forehead of the age to come; These, these will give the world another heart, And other pulses. Hear ye not the hum Of mighty workings?— Listen awhile, ye nations, and be dumb.

Collection: 
1815
Sub Title: 
Descriptive Poems: I. Personal: Great Writers

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