Selections from American poetry, with special reference to Poe, Longfellow, Lowell and Whittier by Unknown
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page 17 of 414 (04%)
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How long since thou wast in thine infancy?
Thy strength, and stature, more thy years admire; Hath hundred winters past since thou wast born, Or thousand since thou breakest thy shell of horn? If so, all these as naught Eternity doth scorn. I heard the merry grasshopper then sing, The black-clad cricket bear a second part, They kept one tune, and played on the same string, Seeming to glory in their little art. Shall creatures abject thus their voices raise? And in their kind resound their Master's praise: Whilst I, as mute, can warble forth no higher lays. When I behold the heavens as in their prime, And then the earth (though old) still clad in green, The stones and trees, insensible of time, Nor age nor wrinkle on their front are seen; If winter come, and greenness then do fade, A spring returns, and they more youthful made; But Man grows old, lies down, remains where once he's laid. MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH THE DAY OF DOOM SOUNDING OF THE LAST TRUMP |
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