Library of the best American literature / Containing the lives of our authors in story form, their portraits, their homes, and their personal traits, how they worked and what they wrote; choice selections from eminent writers, embracing great American poets and novelists, foremost women in American letters, distinguished critics and essayists, our national humorists, noted journalists and magazine contributors, popular writers for young people, great orators and public lecturers

by Unknown

Young Raphael might covet such a school;

The lively show beguiled me from my way.

Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why

This charm is wasted on the marsh and sky,

Dear tell them, that if eyes were made for seeing,

Then beauty is its own excuse for being.

Why, thou wert there, O, rival of the rose!

I never thought to ask, I never knew,

But in my simple ignorance suppose

The selfsame Power that brought me there, brought you.