<SPAN name="VILLIERS_DE_LISLE-ADAM"></SPAN>VILLIERS DE L'ISLE-ADAM.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Up from the darkness on the laughing stage<br/>
A sudden trap-door shot you unawares,<br/>
Incarnate Tragedy, with your strange airs<br/>
Of courteous sadness. Nothing could assuage<br/>
The secular grief that was your heritage,<br/>
Passed down the long line to the last that bears<br/>
The name, a gift of yearnings and despairs<br/>
Too greatly noble for this iron age.<br/>
<br/>
Time moved for you not in quotidian beats,<br/>
But in the long slow rhythm the ages keep<br/>
In their immortal symphony. You taught<br/>
That not in the harsh turmoil of the streets<br/>
Does life consist; you bade the soul drink deep<br/>
Of infinite things, saying: "The rest is naught."<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.