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...SIGNS OF THE TIMES by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR ON FIRST LOOKING INTO CHAPMAN'S HOMER by JOHN KEATS THE TWINS by HENRY SAMBROOKE LEIGH MOON OF LOVELINESS by MUHAMMAD AL-MU'TAMID II LOVE'S BLINDNESS by ALFRED AUSTIN A SONG OF RICHES by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE WAGES OF PRIDE by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE |