Icarus

Here fell the daring Icarus in his prime, He who was brave enough to scale the skies; And here bereft of plumes his body lies, Leaving the valiant envious of that climb. O rare performance of a soul sublime, That with small loss such great advantage buys! Happy mishap! fraught with so rich a prize, That bids the vanquished triumph over time.

So new a path his youth did not dismay, His wings but not his noble heart said nay; He had the glorious sun for funeral fire; He died upon a high adventure bent; The sea his grave, his goal the firmament. Great is the tomb, but greater the desire.