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

By HamlinGarland

1391 A Tribute of Grasses

SERENE, vast head, with silver cloud of hair

Lined on the purple dusk of death,

A stern medallion, velvet set—

Old Norseman, throned, not chained upon thy chair,

Thy grasp of hand, thy hearty breath

Of welcome thrills me yet

As when I faced thee there!

Loving my plain as thou thy sea,

Facing the East as thou the West,

I bring a handful of grass to thee,—

The prairie grasses I know the best;

Type of the wealth and width of the plain,

Strong of the strength of the wind and sleet,

Fragrant with sunlight and cool with rain,

I bring it and lay it low at thy feet,

Here by the eastern sea.