[The pioneer aeroplane conatructed by Professor Langley of the Smithsonian Institution failed to fly were remedied by others after ten years, whereupon this first of air-ships made a triumphal flight. "Langley's Folly." as the invention was called, hastened the death of the patient investigator who b Honor to Langley, from humble and great! Hail to his genius, immortally rare! Better than never, though shamefully late; Honor to Langley, the King of the Air! Praise for the toll of the bold pioneer! Patiently, skilfnlly framing the plan, Learning the far from the common and near. Blazing a path in the heavens for man. Folly and Folly and Folly we cried, Mocked at his dreams of the wonderful way, Till, broken-hearted, the pioneer died Oat of these hindering wrappings of clay. Spirit of venturing?, spirit of light. How you escaped from our bickering sneers Happily forth on the beautiful flight, Out in the glow of the welcoming spheres! After a decade, unheeded, forgot, Testing your "Folly." we find that it flies! Penitent, shamed, we erase the long blot. Lifting your praise to the echoing skies. Better than never, though shamefully late; Sadly our folly at last we repair. Hail to the spirit so patiently great Honor to Langley, the King of the Air! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWO WITCHES: 2. THE PAUPER WITCH OF GRAFTON by ROBERT FROST SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: CARL HAMBLIN by EDGAR LEE MASTERS ON THE DEATH OF A CAT by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI BEGGAR TO BEGGAR CRIED by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS FLOATING HEARTS by GEORGE BRADFORD BARTLETT THE SECRET OF THE BEES by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON |