What is a Sonnet? 'Tis the pearly shell
That murmurs of the far-off, murmuring sea;
A precious jewel carved most curiously;
It is a little picture painted well.
What is a Sonnet? 'Tis the tear that fell
From a great poet's hidden ecstasy;
A two-edged sword, a star, a song--ah me!
Sometimes a heavy tolling funeral bell.
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The poet... may be used as a barometer, but let us not forget that he is also part of the read more
The poet... may be used as a barometer, but let us not forget that he is also part of the weather.
Some force whole regions, in despite
O' geography, to change their site;
Make former times shake hands read more
Some force whole regions, in despite
O' geography, to change their site;
Make former times shake hands with latter,
And that which was before come after;
But those that write in rhyme still make
The one verse for the other's sake;
For one for sense, and one for rhyme,
I think's sufficient at one time.
When the brain gets as dry as an empty nut,
When the reason stands on its squarest toes,
read more
When the brain gets as dry as an empty nut,
When the reason stands on its squarest toes,
When the mind (like a beard) has a "formal cut,"--
There is a place and enough for the pains of prose;
But whenever the May-blood stires and glows,
And the young year draws to the "golden prime,"
And Sir Romeo sticks in his ear a rose,--
Then hey! for the ripple of laughing rhyme!
'Twas he that ranged the words at random flung,
Pierced the fair pearls and them together strung.
'Twas he that ranged the words at random flung,
Pierced the fair pearls and them together strung.
A poet can survive everything but a misprint.
A poet can survive everything but a misprint.
Poetry should be common in experience but uncommon in books.
Poetry should be common in experience but uncommon in books.
For rhyme the rudder is of verses,
With which, like ships, they steer their courses.
For rhyme the rudder is of verses,
With which, like ships, they steer their courses.
Poetry is the art of substantiating shadows, and of lending existence to nothing.
Poetry is the art of substantiating shadows, and of lending existence to nothing.
Poetry is something more philosophical and more worthy of serious
attention than history.
Poetry is something more philosophical and more worthy of serious
attention than history.
