Thomas R. Lounsbury, ed. (1838–1915). Yale Book of American Verse. 1912.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 18071882
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow62 Excelsior
T
As through an Alpine village passed
A youth, who bore, ’mid snow and ice,
A banner with the strange device,
Excelsior!
Flashed like a falchion from its sheath, And like a silver clarion rung The accents of that unknown tongue, Excelsior! Of household fires gleam warm and bright; Above, the spectral glaciers shone, And from his lips escaped a groan, Excelsior! “Dark lowers the tempest overhead, The roaring torrent is deep and wide!” And loud that clarion voice replied, Excelsior! Thy weary head upon this breast!” A tear stood in his bright blue eye, But still he answered, with a sigh, Excelsior! Beware the awful avalanche!” This was the peasant’s last Good-night, A voice replied, far up the height, Excelsior! The pious monks of Saint Bernard Uttered the oft-repeated prayer, A voice cried through the startled air, Excelsior! Half-buried in the snow was found, Still grasping in his hand of ice That banner with the strange device, Excelsior! Lifeless, but beautiful, he lay, And from the sky, serene and far, A voice fell, like a falling star, Excelsior!