Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.

The Poet’s Part

Lily A. Long

IT is a little world where poets dwell—

A little, hidden world; and few there be

Who know its sign or language, or can tell

Whence come the visions that the poets see.

The great world beats about it heedlessly,

With things to win, to own, to buy, to sell,

With myriad cares that leave no mortal free,

With hopes that spur and bafflements that quell.

Yet ever does the great world in its might

Swing onward through the darkness by the light

Caught up by poet hand from poet hand;

And if but once should sink that flaming brand,

Why, then would come at last the endless night,

To hide the ruin of what God had planned.