Dream of splendour, bright and gay,
Disenchanted all too soon,
Dimly fading fast away
Like a half-remember'd tune,-
Lo! my spirit's heart is sad
For the end of earthly things,
And refuses to be glad
While I touch these trembling strings.

Fountains, gushing silver light,
Sculptures, soft and warm and fair,
Gems, that blind the dazzled sight,
Silken trophies rich and rare,
Wondrous works of cunning skill,
Precious miracles of art,-
How your crowding memories fill
Mournfully my musing heart!

Fairy Giant! choicest birth
Of the Beautiful Sublime,
Seeming like the Toy of earth
Given to the dotard Time,-
Glacier-diamond, Alp of glass,
Sinbad's cave, Aladdin'd hall,-
Must it then be crush'd, alas!
Must the Crystal Palace fall?

Yes! - as Autumn's chequer'd hues
Thus are tinted with decay,
As the morn's prismatic dews
Glittering, exhale away,-
So with thee; in beauty's pride
All thy brightness must depart,-
Nature's fair consumptive bride,
Fragile paragon of Art!

But, Not all of thee shall die,-
Oh, not all shall perish thus!
Thy sweet spirit ever nigh
Will remain to gladden us,-
Thy sweet spirit - Brotherhood!
This was in thee like a Soul,
Every Part to gild with good,
And to glorify the Whole!