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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FINIAS, by WILLIAM SHARP Poet's Biography
First Line: In the torch-lit city of finias that flames on
Last Line: Here!
Alternate Author Name(s): Macleod, Fiona
Subject(s): Cities; Fire; Immortality; Laughter; Secrets; Urban Life
First Line: In the torch-lit city of finias that flames on
Last Line: Here!
Alternate Author Name(s): Macleod, Fiona
Subject(s): Cities; Fire; Immortality; Laughter; Secrets; Urban Life
In the torch-lit city of Finias that flames on the brow of the South
The Spear that divideth the heart is held in a brazen mouth—
Arias the flame-white keeps it, he whose laughter is heard
Where never a man has wandered, where never a god has stirred.
High kings have sought it, great queens have sought it, poets have dreamed—
And ever louder and louder the flame-white laughter of Arias streamed.
For kingdoms shaken and queens forsaken and high hopes starved in their drouth,
These are the torches ablaze on the walls of Finias that lightens the South.
Forbear, O Arias, forbear, forbear—lift not the dreadful Spear—
I had but dreamed of thee, Finias, Finias . . . now I am stricken . . . now I am
here!
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