Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LONGFELLOW (2), by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LONGFELLOW (2), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: O gentlest kinsman of humanity
Last Line: Of common human need of kindliness.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Death; Hearts; Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth (1807-1882); Love; Dead, The


O GENTLEST kinsman of Humanity!
Thy love hath touched all hearts, even as thy Song
Hath touched all chords of music that belong
To the quavering heaven-strung harp of harmony:
Thou hast made man to feel and hear and see
Divinely; -- made the weak to be the strong;
By thy melodious magic, changed the wrong
To changeless right -- and joyed and wept as we.
Worlds listen, lulled and solaced at the spell
That folds and holds us -- soul and body, too, --
As though thy songs, as loving arms in stress
Of sympathy and trust ineffable,
Were thrown about us thus by one who knew
Of common human need of kindliness.





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