Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BENJAMIN PEIRCE; ASTRONOMER, MATHEMATICIAN, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: For him the architect of all Last Line: Whose sun is god, whose light is love. Subject(s): Classmates; Peirce, Benjamin (1809-1880); Schoolmates | ||||||||
FOR him the Architect of all Unroofed our planet's starlit hall; Through voids unknown to worlds unseen His clearer vision rose serene. With us on earth he walked by day, His midnight path how far away! We knew him not so well who knew The patient eyes his soul looked through; For who his untrod realm could share Of us that breathe this mortal air, Or camp in that celestial tent Whose fringes gild our firmament? How vast the workroom where he brought The viewless implements of thought! The wit how subtle, how profound, That Nature's tangled webs unwound; That through the clouded matrix saw The crystal planes of shaping law, Through these the sovereign skill that planned, -- The Father's care, the Master's hand! To him the wandering stars revealed The secrets in their cradle sealed: The far-off, frozen sphere that swings Through ether, zoned with lucid rings; The orb that rolls in dim eclipse Wide wheeling round its long ellipse, -- His name Urania writes with these And stamps it on her Pleiades. We knew him not? Ah, well we knew The manly soul, so brave, so true, The cheerful heart that conquered age, The childlike silver-bearded sage. No more his tireless thought explores The azure sea with golden shores; Rest, wearied frame! the stars shall keep A loving watch where thou shalt sleep. Farewell! the spirit needs must rise, So long a tenant of the skies, -- Rise to that home all worlds above Whose sun is God, whose light is love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CLASS by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER FOR A STUDENT SLEEPING IN A POETRY WORKSHOP by DAVID WAGONER BILL AND JOE by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES THE BOYS by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES THE OLD MAN DREAMS by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES GEORGE LEVISON OR, THE SCHOOLFELLOWS by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM BOOKS ET VERITAS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET CLASS POEM by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE THE GIRL FROM SOAP SUDS ROW by NATHALIA CRANE A BALLAD OF THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY [DECEMBER 16, 1773] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES |
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