That night the town turned out and crammed the hall. And I, perhaps maliciously, made one To hear the lecture: I, who went to none, And an old friend with me, who went to all. But vain it were that thesis to recall, A rant of phrase and metaphor blundered through And meaning not or how, when ended quite And poetry had closed what prayer begun, Strong men were touched to tears and bright lips grew Breathless with praise. But my companion Spoke not, or spoke with satire grave and arch: "We scarce had had such learning and such light Since he, the Yankee schoolmaster, last March Came from Nine Partners to Illyria down." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MOUNTAIN WHIPPOORWILL (A GEORGIA ROMANCE) by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET PENT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON STREET CRIES: 6. TO RICHARD WAGNER by SIDNEY LANIER O GLORIOUS FRANCE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS OLD OSAWATOMIE by CARL SANDBURG ELEGY: THE LITTLE GHOST WHO DIED FOR LOVE; FOR ALLANAH HARPER by EDITH SITWELL |