Written Before Re-reading King Lear

O golden-tongued Romance with serene lute! Fair plumed Syren! Queen of far away! Leave melodizing on this wintry day, Shut up thine olden pages, and be mute. Adieu! for once again the fierce dispute Betwixt damnation and impassioned clay Must I burn through; once more humbly assay The bitter-sweet of this Shakespearean fruit. Chief Poet! and ye clouds of Albion, Begetters of our deep eternal theme, When through the old oak Forest I am gone, Let me not wander in a barren dream, But when I am consumed in the Fire, Give me new Phoenix wings to fly at my desire.