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

And say I could not speak, because

I felt so deeply your applause!

I cannot do this, if I would;

I can but thank you, as I should,

And take the honors you bestow—

A largess, not a lawful claim;

My share thereof is small, I know,

But from your hands to-night is fame—

A precious crown in these pert days

Of purchased or of self-made bays;