In dreams as wild, suppressed--one daring not Assume the mastery such dreams allot, Until a magical equipment, strength, Grace, wisdom, decked him too,--he chose at length, Content with unproved wits and failing frame, In virtue of his simple will, to claim That mastery, no less--to do his best With means so limited, and let the rest Go by,--the seal was set: never again Sordello could in his own sight remain [Sidenote: Leaves the dream he may be something,] One of the many, one with hopes and cares And interests nowise distinct from theirs, Only peculiar in a thriveless store Of fancies, which were fancies and no more; Never again for him and for the crowd A common law was challenged and allowed If calmly reasoned of, howe'er denied By a mad impulse nothing justified Short of Apollo's presence. The divorce Is clear: why needs Sordello square his course By any known example? Men no more Compete with him than tree and flower before. Himself, inactive, yet is greater far Than such as act, each stooping to his star, Acquiring thence his function; he has gained The same result with meaner mortals trained To strength or beauty, moulded to express Each the idea that rules him; since no less He comprehends that function, but can still Embrace the others, take of might his fill With Richard as of grace with Palma, mix Their qualities, or for a moment fix On one; abiding free meantime, uncramped By any partial organ, never stamped Strong, and to strength turning all energies-- Wise, and restricted to becoming wise-- That is, he loves not, nor possesses One Idea that, star-like over, lures him on To its exclusive purpose. "Fortunate! This flesh of mine ne'er strove to emulate A soul so various--took no casual mould Of the first fancy and, contracted, cold, Clogged her forever--soul averse to change As flesh: whereas flesh leaves soul free to range, Remains itself a blank, east into shade, Encumbers little, if it cannot aid. [Sidenote: For the fact that he can do nothing,] So, range, free soul!--who, by self-consciousness, The last drop of all beauty dost express-- The grace of seeing grace, a quintessence For thee: while for the world, that can dispense Wonder on men who, themselves, wonder--make A shift to love at second-hand, and take For idols those who do but idolize, Themselves,--the world that counts men strong or wise, Who, themselves, court strength, wisdom,--it shall bow Surely in unexampled worship now, Discerning me!"-- (Dear monarch, I beseech, Notice how lamentably wide a breach Is here: discovering this, discover too What our poor world has possibly to do With it! As pigmy natures as you please-- So much the better for you; take your ease,