Sappho and Phaon - 11. Rejects the Influence of Reason
Oh Reason, vaunted sovereign of the mind—
Thou pompous vision with a sounding name!
Canst thou the soul's rebellious passions tame?
Canst thou in spells the vagrant fancy bind?
Ah no, capricious as the wavering wind
Are sighs of love that dim thy boasted flame,
While Folly's torch consumes the wreath of fame,
And Pleasure's hands the sheaves of truth unbind.
Pressed by the storms of fate, hope shrinks and dies;
Frenzy darts forth in mightiest ills arrayed;
Around thy throne destructive tumults rise,
And Hell-fraught jealousies thy rights invade!
Then, what art thou, oh idol of the wise?—
A visionary theme! A gorgeous shade!
Thou pompous vision with a sounding name!
Canst thou the soul's rebellious passions tame?
Canst thou in spells the vagrant fancy bind?
Ah no, capricious as the wavering wind
Are sighs of love that dim thy boasted flame,
While Folly's torch consumes the wreath of fame,
And Pleasure's hands the sheaves of truth unbind.
Pressed by the storms of fate, hope shrinks and dies;
Frenzy darts forth in mightiest ills arrayed;
Around thy throne destructive tumults rise,
And Hell-fraught jealousies thy rights invade!
Then, what art thou, oh idol of the wise?—
A visionary theme! A gorgeous shade!
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