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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


EUGENE FIELD by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: WITH GENTLEST TEARS, NO LESS THAN
Last Line: THE LOVE OF LITTLE CHILDREN LAURELS HIM.
Subject(s): CHILDREN; SINGING & SINGERS; TEARS; CHILDHOOD;

WITH gentlest tears, no less than jubilee
Of blithest joy, we heard him, and still hear
Him singing on, with full voice, pure and clear,
Uplifted, as some classic melody
In sweetest legends of old minstrelsy;
Or, swarming Elfin-like upon the ear,
His airy notes make all the atmosphere
One blur of bird and bee and lullaby.
His tribute: -- Luster in the faded bloom
Of checks of old, old mothers; and the fall
Of gracious dews in eyes long dry and dim;
And hope in lover's pathways midst perfume
Of woodland haunts; and -- meed exceeding all, --
The love of little children laurels him.



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