Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TWO GREETINGS: 1. SALVE!, by BAYARD TAYLOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TWO GREETINGS: 1. SALVE!, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Scarce from the void of shadows taken
Last Line: Become more beautiful, as man!
Alternate Author Name(s): Taylor, James Bayard
Subject(s): Greetings; Life; Love; Religion; Theology


SCARCE from the void of shadows taken,
We hail thine opening eyelids, boy!
Be welcome to the world! Awaken
To strength and beauty, and to joy!

Within those orbs of empty wonder
Let life its starry fires increase,
And curve those tender lips asunder
With faintest smiles of baby peace.

Sealed in their buds, the beauteous senses
Shall gladden thee as they unfold:
With soft allurements, stern defences,
Thy riper being they shall mould.

Far-eyed desires and hopes unbounded
Within thy narrow nest are furled:
Behold, for thee how fair is rounded
The circle of the sunlit world!

The oceans and the winds invite thee,
The peopled lands thy coming wait:
No wreck nor storm shall long affright thee,
For all are parts of thine estate.

Advance to every triumph wrested
By plough and pencil, pen and sword,
For, with thy robes of action vested,
Though slaves be others, thou art lord!

Thy breath be love, thy growth be duty
To end in peace as they began:
Pre-human in thy helpless beauty,
Become more beautiful, as Man!





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