Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE CRICKET, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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TO THE CRICKET, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The chiming seas may clang; and
Last Line: Thou poor plebeian minstrel of the hearth.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Crickets; Sea; Singing & Singers; Ocean


THE chiming seas may clang; and Tubal Cain
May clink his tinkling metals as he may;
Or Pan may sit and pipe his breath away;
Or Orpheus wake his most entrancing strain
Till not a note of melody remain! --
But thou, O cricket, with thy roundelay,
Shalt laugh them all to scorn! So wilt thou, pray
Trill me thy glad song o'er and o'er again:
I shall not weary; there is purest worth
In thy sweet prattle, since it sings the lone
Heart home again. Thy warbling hath no dearth
Of childish memories -- no harsher tone
Than we might listen to in gentlest mirth,
Thou poor plebeian minstrel of the hearth.





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