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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DANCING BEAR by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: FAR OVER ELF-LAND POETS STRETCH THEIR SWAY
Last Line: ATLANTIC WELTER REACHED IT FROM HIS GRAVE.
Subject(s): ANIMALS; BEARS;
FAR over Elf-land poets stretch their sway,
And win their dearest crowns beyond the goal
Of their own conscious purpose; they control
With gossamer threads wide-flown our fancy's play,
And so our action. On my walk to-day,
A wallowing bear begged clumsily his toll,
When straight a vision rose of Atta Troll,
And scenes ideal witched mine eyes away.
+"@3Merci, Mossieu !@1" the astonished bear-ward cried,
Grateful for thrice his hope to me, the slave
Of partial memory, seeing at his side
A bear immortal. The glad dole I gave
Was none of mine; poor Heine o'er the wide
Atlantic welter reached it from his grave.



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