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

By Edmund ClarenceStedman

578 Invocation

THOU,—whose endearing hand once laid in sooth

Upon thy follower, no want thenceforth,

Nor toil, nor joy and pain, nor waste of years

Filled with all cares that deaden and subdue,

Can make thee less to him—can make thee less

Than sovereign queen, his first liege, and his last

Remembered to the unconscious dying hour,—

Return and be thou kind, bright Spirit of song,

Thou whom I yet loved most, loved most of all

Even when I left thee—I, now so long strayed

From thy beholding! And renew, renew

Thy gift to me fain clinging to thy robe!

Still be thou kind, for still thou wast most dear.