Impartiality - Free Audiobook

"I BROKE THE SPELL THAT HELD ME LONG"

               I broke the spell that held me long,
               The dear, dear witchery of song.
               I said, the poet's idle lore
               Shall waste my prime of years no more,
               For Poetry, though heavenly born,
               Consorts with poverty and scorn.

               I broke the spell—nor deemed its power
               Could fetter me another hour.
               Ah, thoughtless! how could I forget
               Its causes were around me yet?
               For wheresoe'er I looked, the while,
               Was Nature's everlasting smile.

               Still came and lingered on my sight
               Of flowers and streams the bloom and light,
               And glory of the stars and sun;—
               And these and poetry are one.
               They, ere the world had held me long,
               Recalled me to the love of song.