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

By John BoyleO’Reilly

924 An Art Master

HE gathered cherry-stones, and carved them quaintly

Into fine semblances of flies and flowers;

With subtle skill, he even imaged faintly

The forms of tiny maids and ivied towers.

His little blocks he loved to file and polish;

And ampler means he asked not, but despised.

All art but cherry-stones he would abolish,

For then his genius would be rightly prized.

For such rude hands as dealt with wrongs and passions,

And throbbing hearts, he had a pitying smile;

Serene his way through surging years and fashions,

While Heaven gave him his cherry-stones and file!