THE FOUNT OF CASTALY. BY JOSEPH O’CONNOR.
Reading edition
Joseph O’Connor was born at Tribes Hill, N. Y., in 1841. He is a graduate of Rochester University, and was admitted to the bar, but never practiced. He taught for a while at the Rochester Free Academy, but soon left this work for journalism and became editor of the Rochester Post and Express. His poems were published in 1895.
I would the fount of Castaly, Had never wet my lips; For woe to him that hastily Its sacred water sips.
Apollo’s laurel flourishes Above that stream divine; Its secret virtue nourishes The leaves of love and wine.
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Its joyous tide leaps crystally Up ’neath the crystal moon, And falling ever mistily The sparkling drops keep tune.
The wavelets circle gleamingly, With lilies keeping trysts; The emeralds glisten dreamily Below, and amethysts.
Once taste that fountain’s witchery On old Parnassus’ crown, And to this world of treachery O, never more come down!
Your joy will be to think of it, ’Twill ever haunt your dreams; You’ll thirst again to drink of it, Among a thousand streams.