Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON A YOUTHFUL PORTRAIT OF STEVENSON, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON A YOUTHFUL PORTRAIT OF STEVENSON, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A face of youth mature; a mouth
Last Line: And all your lovely poems calling to you?
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Faces; Portraits; Youth


A FACE of youth mature; a mouth of tender,
Sad, human sympathy, yet something stoic
In clasp of lip: wide eyes of calmest splendor,
And brow serenely ample and heroic:

The features -- all -- lit with a soul ideal . . .
O visionary boy! what were you seeing,
What hearing, as you stood thus midst the real
Ere yet one master-work of yours had being?

Is it a foolish fancy that we humor --
Investing daringly with life and spirit
This youthful portrait of you ere one rumor
Of your great future spoke that men might hear it? --
Is it a fancy, or your first of glories,
That you were listening, and the camera drew you
Hearing the voices of your untold stories
And all your lovely poems calling to you?





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