Life Well Lost

Winged by desire and thee, O dear delight!
  As still the vast and succoring air I tread,
  So, mounting still, on swifter pinions sped,
  I scorn the world, and heaven receives my flight.
  And if the end of Ikaros be nigh,
  I will submit, for I shall know no pain:
  And falling dead to earth, shall rise again;
  What lowly life with such high death can vie?
  Then speaks my heart from out the upper air,
  "Whither dost lead me? sorrow and despair
  Attend the rash." and thus I make reply:--
  "Fear thou no fall, nor lofty ruin sent;
  Safely divide the clouds, and die content,
  When such proud death is dealt thee from on high."