No hand like thine can sweep the chords,
No heart like thine can sing;
The poet-world is full of song
And thou alone art king!
Oh would my eyes could see thy face
On which the glory shines!
And would my soul could trace the thought
That lies between the lines!
But though my eyes may never see,
My heart will worship still;
And at the fountain of thy song
My soul will drink its fill.
Thy crown of stars will never break,
Its circle is complete;
And yet each heart some gem will keep
To make its life more sweet.
The following autograph letter was received from the poet:
Dear Miss Sherrick:—I am much pleased and touched by the graceful and beautiful tribute you have paid me in your poem. I beg you to accept my best thanks for these kind words, and for the friendly expressions of your letter, which I have left too long unanswered. Pardon the delay and believe me with great regard,
Yours sincerely,
Henry W. Longfellow.
Tower Grove.
Oh tell me not of the lands so old
Where the Orient treasures its hills of gold,
And the rivers lie in the sun's bright rays
Forever singing the old world's praise.
Nor proudly boast of the gardens grand
That spring to earth at a king's command;
There are treasures here in the far great West
That rival the hills on the Orient's crest.