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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AN AUTOGRAPH by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: O'ER THE WET SANDS AN INSECT CREPT
Last Line: SHALL 'SCAPE OBLIVION'S BROOM SO LONG?
Subject(s): AUTOGRAPHS; FOSSILS; THOUGHT; THINKING;

O'ER the wet sands an insect crept
Ages ere man on earth was known--
And patient Time, while Nature slept,
The slender tracing turned to stone.
'T was the first autograph: and ours?
Prithee, how much of prose or song,
In league with the creative powers,
Shall 'scape Oblivion's broom so long?



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