Sonnet -- To Science

Edgar Allan Poe's "Sonnet -- To Science" was the "Poem-A-Day" selection of poets.org last week on September 29.  The poem is in the public domain and I offer it to you below. As Poe speaks of science I wonder whether -- if he had not announced his subject -- we might as easily imagine he is speaking of poetry. 

     Sonnet — To Science   by Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)

     Science! true daughter of Old Time thou art!
          Who alterest all things with thy peering eyes.
     Why preyest thou thus upon the poet’s heart,
          Vulture, whose wings are dull realities?
     How should he love thee? or how deem thee wise,
          Who wouldst not leave him in his wandering
     To seek for treasure in the jewelled skies,
          Albeit he soared with an undaunted wing?
     Hast thou not dragged Diana from her car,
          And driven the Hamadryad from the wood
     To seek a shelter in some happier star?
          Hast thou not torn the Naiad from her flood,
     The Elfin from the green grass, and from me
     The summer dream beneath the tamarind tree?