"For He On Honey-dew Hath Fed And Drunk The Milk Of Paradise"

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Could I revive within me,
Her symphony and song,
To such a deep delight 'twould win me,
That with music loud and long,
I would build that dome in air,
That sunny dome! those caves of ice!
And all who heard should see them there,
And all should cry, Beware! Beware!
His flashing eyes, his floating hair!
Weave a circle round him thrice,
And close your eyes with holy dread,
For he on honey-dew hath fed,
And drunk the milk of Paradise.

This passage from Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" captures the essence of the poet's yearning for lost inspiration. The narrator longs to reclaim a vision so powerful that it could transform him into a figure of awe and wonder. The imagery of building a "sunny dome" and "caves of ice" in the air underscores the fantastical nature of this creative power. The culmination of the verse evokes a sacred, almost otherworldly experience, suggesting divine inspiration. "Honey-dew" and "milk of Paradise" symbolize nourishment from a celestial realm, further cementing the idea of the poet as a conduit to the sublime. Ultimately, the lines reflect the transcendental nature of art and the elusive, ephemeral spark of creativity that artists perpetually chase.

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