BACK from old England, in whose courts he stood Foremost to knit by act and word the band Between the daughter and the mother-land In all by either prized of truth and good, We welcome to a fellowship renewed His country's friend and ours. The master-hand That held the pen and lyre could still command Affairs of state, controlling league and feud. So, helped, not hindered, may his later strains Flow deeper, richer, though by sorrow toned; And life by losses grow as once by gains; And age hold fast the best that youth has owned. But ah, hurt not with touch too heavy, Time, The light-winged wisdom of his gayer rhyme. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DEIL'S AWA WI' TH' EXCISEMAN by ROBERT BURNS FOR THAT HE LOOKED NOT UPON HER by GEORGE GASCOIGNE OVERLOOKING THE RIVER STOUR by THOMAS HARDY ALEXANDER VI DINES WITH THE CARDINAL OF CAPUA by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET LADY GERALDINE'S COURTSHIP by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |