TAKE, Poet, take these thanks too long deferred -- You that have made me richer year by year, Across the vast and desert waters drear Wafting your marriage-chimes of thought and word, Your true-born, truthful songs. Not April bird Utters abroad his wisdom morning-clear From fuller heart. Still sing with note sincere, And English pure as English air hath heard. And so, though all the fops of style misuse Our great brave language -- tricking out with beads This noble vesture that no frippery needs -- Help still to save, while Time around him strews Old shards of empire, and much dust of creeds, The honour and the glory of the muse. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NEGRO by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES THE MINSTREL BOY by THOMAS MOORE THE BUBBLE by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM PSALM 23 by HENRY WILLIAMS BAKER THE INGOLDSBY PENANCE!; A LEGEND OF PALESTINE AND -- WEST KENT by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |