The poems and literary prose of Alexander Wilson ... for the first time fully collected and compared with the original and early editions ... edited ... by the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart ... with portrait, illustrations, &c |
 | I. |
 |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
 | The poems and literary prose of Alexander Wilson |  |
So I, dear sir, have oft snatch'd up the quill
To hail your ear, yet have been silent still;
Aw'd by superior worth, my pen forgot
Its wonted pow'r, and trembled out a blot;
The Muse sat mute and hung her languid head,
And fancy crawl'd with diffidence and dread;
Till forc'd at last, I spurn the phantom Fear,
And dare to face your dread tribunal here.
To hail your ear, yet have been silent still;
Aw'd by superior worth, my pen forgot
Its wonted pow'r, and trembled out a blot;
The Muse sat mute and hung her languid head,
And fancy crawl'd with diffidence and dread;
Till forc'd at last, I spurn the phantom Fear,
And dare to face your dread tribunal here.
| The poems and literary prose of Alexander Wilson | |