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

Graven, as with a thousand diamond spears,

Of thine unending volume. Every leaf,

That lifts itself within thy wide domain,

Doth gather greenness from thy living spray,

Yet tremble at the baptism. Lo! yon birds

Do boldly venture near, and bathe their wing

Amid thy mist and foam. ’Tis meet for them

To touch thy garment’s hem, and lightly stir

The snowy leaflets of thy vapor wreath,

For they may sport unharmed amid the cloud,