Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO AN AMERICAN POET, by WILLIAM WATSON


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TO AN AMERICAN POET, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Take, poet, take these thanks too long deferred
Last Line: The honour and the glory of the muse.
Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William
Variant Title(s): Sonnet
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


TAKE, Poet, take these thanks too long deferred --
You that have made me richer year by year,
Across the vast and desert waters drear
Wafting your marriage-chimes of thought and word,
Your true-born, truthful songs. Not April bird
Utters abroad his wisdom morning-clear
From fuller heart. Still sing with note sincere,
And English pure as English air hath heard.
And so, though all the fops of style misuse
Our great brave language -- tricking out with beads
This noble vesture that no frippery needs --
Help still to save, while Time around him strews
Old shards of empire, and much dust of creeds,
The honour and the glory of the muse.





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