Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO JAMES FREEMAN CLARKE, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I bring the simplest pledge of love Last Line: Long live our dear saint james! Subject(s): Clarke, James Freeman (1810-1888) | ||||||||
I BRING the simplest pledge of love, Friend of my earlier days; Mine is the hand without the glove, The heart-beat, not the phrase. How few still breathe this mortal air We called by school-boy names! You still, whatever robe you wear, To me are always James. That name the kind apostle bore Who shames the sullen creeds, Not trusting less, but loving more, And showing faith by deeds. What blending thoughts our memories share! What visions yours and mine Of May-days in whose morning air The dews were golden wine, Of vistas bright with opening day, Whose all-awakening sun Showed in life's landscape, far away, The summits to be won! The heights are gained. Ah, say not so For him who smiles at time, Leaves his tired comrades down below, And only lives to climb! His labors, -- will they ever cease, -- With hand and tongue and pen? Shall wearied Nature ask release At threescore years and ten? Our strength the clustered seasons tax, -- For him new life they mean; Like rods around the lictor's axe They keep him bright and keen. The wise, the brave, the strong, we know, -- We mark them here or there, But he, -- we roll our eyes, and lo! We find him everywhere! With truth's bold cohorts, or alone, He strides through error's field; His lance is ever manhood's own, His breast is woman's shield. Count not his years while earth has need Of souls that Heaven inflames With sacred zeal to save, to lead, -- Long live our dear Saint James! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BALLAD OF THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY [DECEMBER 16, 1773] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES A SEA DIALOGUE by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES A SUN-DAY HYMN [OR LAMENT] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES AFTER A LECTURE ON KEATS by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BILL AND JOE by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BIRTHDAY OF DANIEL WEBSTER by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BOSTON COMMON: 1630 by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BOSTON COMMON: 1774 by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BOSTON COMMON: 1869 by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES BROTHER JONATHAN'S LAMENT FOR SISTER CAROLINE [DECEMBER 2O, 1860] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES |
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