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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER, by PHOEBE CARY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Great master of the poet's art! Last Line: Itself a canticle of love! Subject(s): Life; Love; Poetry & Poets; Sea; Whittier, John Greenleaf (1807-1892); Ocean | |||
GREAT master of the poet's art! Surely the sources of thy powers Lie in that true and tender heart Whose every utterance touches ours. For, better than thy words, that glow With sunset dyes or noontide heat, That count the treasures of the snow, Or paint the blossoms at our feet, Are those that teach the sorrowing how To lay aside their fear and doubt, And in submissive love to bow To love that passeth finding out. And thou for such hast come to be In every home an honored guest -- Even from the cities by the sea To the broad prairies of the West. Thy lays have cheered the humble home Where men who prayed for freedom knelt; And women, in their anguish dumb, Have heard thee utter what they felt. And thou hast battled for the right With many a brave and trenchant word. And shown us how the pen may fight A mightier battle than the sword. And therefore men in coming years Shall chant thy praises loud and long; And woman name thee through their tears A poet greater than his song. But not thy strains, with courage rife, Nor holiest hymns, shall rank above The rhythmic beauty of thy life, Itself a canticle of love! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HALL OF OCEAN LIFE by JOHN HOLLANDER JULY FOURTH BY THE OCEAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS BOATS IN A FOG by ROBINSON JEFFERS CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE FIGUREHEAD by LEONIE ADAMS A LEGEND OF THE NORTHLAND by PHOEBE CARY |
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