A vision as of crowded city streets, br With human life in endless overflow; br Thunder of thoroughfares; trumpets that blow br To battle; clamor, in obscure retreats, br Of sailors landed from their anchored fleets; br Tolling of bells in turrets, and below br Voices of children, and bright flowers that throw br O'er garden-walls their intermingled sweets! br This vision comes to me when I unfold br The volume of the Poet paramount, br Whom all the Muses loved, not one alone; -- br Into his hands they put the lyre of gold, br And, crowned with sacred laurel at their fount, br Placed him as Musagetes on their throne.