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

By James WhitcombRiley

1145 Longfellow

THE WINDS have talked with him confidingly;

The trees have whispered to him; and the night

Hath held him gently as a mother might,

And taught him all sad tones of melody;

The mountains have bowed to him; and the sea,

In clamorous waves, and murmurs exquisite,

Hath told him all her sorrow and delight,—

Her legends fair,—her darkest mystery.

His verse blooms like a flower, night and day;

Bees cluster round his rhymes; and twitterings

Of lark and swallow, in an endless May,

Are mingling with the tender songs he sings.

Nor shall he cease to sing—in every lay

Of Nature’s voice he sings—and will alway.