The Mind

If far from me the Fates remove

by Henry Kirke White 1785–1806

From Miscellaneous Poems

The Mind

If far from me the Fates remove
Domestic peace, connubial love,
The prattling ring, the social cheer,
Affection's voice, affection's tear,
Ye sterner powers, that bind the heart,
To me your iron aid impart!
O teach me when the nights are chill,
And my fireside is lone and still;
When to the blaze that crackles near,
I turn a tired and pensive ear,
And Nature conquering bids me sigh
For love's soft accents whispering nigh;
O teach me, on that heavenly road,
That leads to Truth's occult abode,
To wrap my soul in dreams sublime,
Till earth and care no more be mine.
Let bless'd Philosophy impart
Her soothing measures to my heart;
And while with Plato's ravish'd ears
I list the music of the spheres,
Or on the mystic symbols pore,
That hide the Chald's sublimer lore,
I shall not brood on summers gone,
Nor think that I am all alone.

MLA

White, Henry Kirke. “If far from me the Fates remove.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/kirke_white/21/.

Chicago

White, Henry Kirke. “If far from me the Fates remove.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/kirke_white/21/.

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