Amos Bronson Alcott (1799–1888)

CHANNING! my Mentor whilst my thought was young,

And I the votary of fair liberty,—

How hung I then upon thy glowing tongue,

And thought of love and truth as one with thee!

Thou wast the inspirer of a nobler life,

When I with error waged unequal strife,

And from its coils thy teaching set me free.

Be ye, his followers, to his leading true,

Nor privilege covet, nor the wider sway;

But hold right onward in his loftier way,

As best becomes, and is his rightful due.

If learning’s yours,—gifts God doth least esteem,—

Beyond all gifts was his transcendent view;

O realize his Pentecostal dream!