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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO LONGFELLOW (ON HEARING HE WAS ILL) by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: O THOU, WHOSE POTENT GENIUS
Last Line: GRACE, SWEETNESS, POWER AND MAGNANIMITY!
Subject(s): LONGFELLOW, HENRY WADSWORTH (1807-1882);

O THOU, whose potent genius (like the sun
Tenderly mellowed by a rippling haze)
Hast gained thee all men's homage, love and praise,
Surely thy web of life is not outspun,
Thy glory rounded, thy last guerdon won!
Nay, poet, nay! -- from thought's calm sunset ways
May new-born notes of undegenerate lays
Charm back the twilight gloom ere day be done!

But past the poet crowned I see the friend --
Frank, courteous, true -- about whose locks of gray,
Like golden bees, some glints of summer stray;
Clear-eyed, with lips half poised 'twixt smile and sigh;
A brow in whose soul-mirroring manhood blend
Grace, sweetness, power and magnanimity!



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