Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LARS; A PASTORAL OF NORWAY: TO JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER, by BAYARD TAYLOR


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LARS; A PASTORAL OF NORWAY: TO JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Through many years my heart goes back
Last Line: And take the grateful love, wherein I hide thy praise!
Alternate Author Name(s): Taylor, James Bayard
Subject(s): Life; Love; Past; Whittier, John Greenleaf (1807-1892)


THROUGH many years my heart goes back,
Through checkered years of loss and gain,
To that fair landmark on its track,
When first, beside the Merrimack,
Upon thy cottage roof I heard the autumn rain.

A hand that welcomed and that cheered
To one unknown didst thou extend;
Thou gavest hope to Song that feared;
But now, by Time and Faith endeared,
I claim the sacred right to call the Poet, Friend!

However Life the stream may stain,
From thy pure fountain drank my youth
The simple creed, the faith human
In Good, that never can be slain,
The prayer for inward Light, the search for outward Truth!

Like thee, I see at last prevail
The sleepless soul that looks above;
I hear, far off, the hymns that hail
The Victor, clad in heavenly mail,
Whose only weapons are the eyes and voice of Love!

Take, then, these olive leaves from me,
To mingle with thy brighter bays!
Some balm of peace and purity,
In them, may faintly breathe of thee;
And take the grateful love, wherein I hide thy praise!





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