Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Milicent WashburnShinn

1306 Song and Science

SPIRIT of song, whose shining wings have borne

Our souls of old to many a clear blue height,

Comes there the day that leaves our world forlorn

Of thy clear singing in the haunted night?

For while from out the western radiance low

Like stars the great dead shining upward go,

Behold, thy wings are poised to join their flight:

Yet follow not within the golden door

Those starry souls; but when the time is full,

Let thy fair-shining garments, white as wool,

Glimmer once more across our earth’s green floor.

Well was it for thee when the moonlight filled

The Syrian nights, and all the air was stilled

With large and simple faith, until men felt

Somewhat most stern and mighty brooding o’er them,

And grimly as Jehovah’s warriors bore them.

Well was it for thee where the glad gods dwelt

In happy Hellas, clasped by silver nights,

When on the clear blue of Olympian heights

Apollo’s lyre, and by the reedy stream

Pan’s shrill, sweet pipe made life a sunny dream.

Well was it for thee in the English wood,

When red, new leaves were bursting out of bud,

And hearts were fresh as young leaves on the elm.

And well, through all the centuries since, thy realm

Has loyally been kept for thee, and thou,

Departing oft, hast still returned; but now

New powers devour thy kingdom day by day.

How shouldst thou come amidst such waste to stay?

For even now, across that western glow,

A keen light whitens coldly in the east,

And glittering on the slopes of morning, lo,

One comes in silver arms; and aye increased

The sharp light shines, and men beholding turn

From thee, and kneel before this wonder new,

Upon whose crest the conquered stars do burn.

No white wings gleam like thine against the blue,

Yet swift his foot and strong; and in his hand—

Ah, bright and terrible!—he bears the brand

Of truth, and in its gleam the lightning plays.

Exultant, young, full-armed from spur to helm,

Spirit of song, he comes to claim thy realm;

And coldly o’er thy lingering radiance low

The keener splendors that attend him flow.

What place is left for thee in all earth’s ways?

Yet that strong warrior that recks not of thee

Shall one day turn his eyes and see thy face

Shine like a star from some far deep of space,—

And all his spirit unto thee shall yearn,

Until he call thee back, and win thy grace.

And on thy brow his captive stars shall burn;

And in wide realms, new-conquered unto thee

By that great sword, thine olden smile shall shine;

Unto deep chords of many an unknown sea,

Thy voice shall join its world-old notes divine.