O poet bold and free as is the land that gave thee birth!
A pioneer, "immense in passion, pulse and power,"
Who, boldly entering nature's shrine and seeing there no wrong,
Made willing haste to free the world cant-held so long.
Clad in the robe of truth by strong conviction wrought,
Thou wast as true to self as nature.

Thy rhythm is the rhythm of the earth and sea and star,
Stayed only by the hand of universal law.

Thy art, indeed, knows not nor fears the world's conventional bound
Which feign would limit soul divine to transcribed sound;

Nor does thy thought revolve, but in the orbit free

Of those who seek the whole of being.

The man divine, bound to the perfect law of soul and sense.
This is thy message now, thy legacy for ages hence.

Chelsea, Mass., 1888.

(5)

ELIZABETH PORTER GOULD.