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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WRITTEN IN EMERSON'S POEMS (FOR A CHILD), by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON Poet's Biography
First Line: Midnight or morning, eve or noon
Last Line: For morning shall proclaim you man.
Subject(s): Emerson, Ralph Waldo (1803-1882)
First Line: Midnight or morning, eve or noon
Last Line: For morning shall proclaim you man.
Subject(s): Emerson, Ralph Waldo (1803-1882)
MIDNIGHT or morning, eve or noon,
Torn March or clover-scented June, --
Whene'er you stand before this gate,
'T will open -- if but not too soon
You knock, if only not too late.
Well shall it be if, boyhood gone,
A boy's delight you still may own
To play the dawn-new game of life, --
If what is dreamed and what is known
In your still-startled heart have strife.
Ere you have banished Mystery,
Or throned Distrust, or less shall be
Stirred by the deep and fervent line
Which is the poet's sign and fee:
Be this your joy that now is mine.
When comes the hour, be full and bright
Your lamp, as the wiser virgins' light!
Choose some familiar, shrine-like nook,
And offer up in prayer the night
Upon the altar of this book.
Always new earth, new heavens lie
The apocalyptic spirit nigh:
If such be yours, oh, while you can,
Bid unregretted Youth good-bye,
For morning shall proclaim you Man.
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FROM THE GROVE PRESS by ANTHONY HECHT
ON LOVE: RALPH WALDO EMERSON by EDWARD HIRSCH
HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 1. HIS SMILE by ROBERT PENN WARREN
HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 2. THE WART by ROBERT PENN WARREN
HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 3. THE SPIDER by ROBERT PENN WARREN
HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 4. ONE DRUNK ALLEGORY by ROBERT PENN WARREN
HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 5. MULTIPLICATION by ROBERT PENN WARREN
HOMAGE TO EMERSON, ON NIGHT FLIGHT TO NEW YORK: 6. WIND by ROBERT PENN WARREN
AN ENGLISH MOTHER by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON