AND I have seen thee, gifted one! at last! Thy spirit-stirring accents -- they have come Like some remember'd melody, long past, Calling up fancies of my childhood's home; And speaking to my heart in tones that seem The clear familiar whisperings of a dream! For thou hast been to me a dream! thy name A spell round which my fancy fondly clung Since the first echo of its deathless fame, Like far-off music, on my ear was flung -- And I have ponder'd o'er thy power, till thought Grew faint with all the wonders it hath wrought And I have dream'd that it should yet be mine To sit entranced beneath thy wizard skill, And see thee wield that mystic gift divine Which held each heart a captive to thy will; While by its aid the intellectual realm Obey'd thy impulse as a ship its helm. Yes! thou hast been to me a dream -- and lo! Its bright fulfilment in the prairied West! For though Time's pinion may have touch'd thy brow The gem within defies his withering test! Genius triumphant! Glorious Prince of Art! Still is thine empire own'd in every heart! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WAY OF THE CONVENTICLE OF THE TREES by HAYDEN CARRUTH WOODSMOKE AT 70 by HAYDEN CARRUTH I SING OF LOVE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: COLUMBUS CHENEY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS A HYMN OF HATE by DOROTHY PARKER WAR IS KIND: 12 by STEPHEN CRANE CINQUAIN: NOVEMBER NIGHT by ADELAIDE CRAPSEY |