(TO COUNTESS EDITH RUCELLAI, DESCENDANT OF JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE, -- IN HER ALBUM, CONTAINING LINES BY BROWNING, LONGFELLOW, LOWELL, AND OTHERS) THOU of a poet's blood, and many a tie Of kin or friendship with the singing race: How shall I dare, without a throb or sigh, Near these lost bards beloved my name to place! One wish I offer, though with halting fingers: That in thy brood, of eager eyes divine, The poet that within the mother lingers May find a voice worthy the deathless line |