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

Spirit of Beauty! whatsoe’er thou art,

I see thy skirts afar, and feel thy power;

It is thy presence fills this charméd hour,

And fills my charmed heart;

Nor mine alone, but myriads feel thee now,

That know not what they feel, nor why they bow;

Thou canst not be forgot,

For all men worship thee, and know it not;

Nor men alone, but babes with wondrous eyes,

New-comers on the earth, and strangers from the skies!