 | [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings |  |
ODE TO CLARA.
[_]
The following was written when Master Payne was twelve years of age, on reading some publications in a New York paper signed “Clara.”
How oft have I essay'd in vain
To swell the wond'rous wizard song,
Yet still the rude and rustic strain
Groans on the lyre's unwilling tongue,
And hoarsely breathes, as if to chide
My erring and presumptuous pride!
To swell the wond'rous wizard song,
Yet still the rude and rustic strain
Groans on the lyre's unwilling tongue,
And hoarsely breathes, as if to chide
My erring and presumptuous pride!
Oh, Clara! since the muse denies
My wild, untutor'd strain to rise
With some bewitching melodies,
Deign thou, her darling, to inspire
My humble harp with hallow'd fire;
Teach it the magic of thy lyre,
That I may boldly forth and claim
Like thee, the choicest gift of fame,—
A deathless, great, and glorious name!
My wild, untutor'd strain to rise
With some bewitching melodies,
Deign thou, her darling, to inspire
My humble harp with hallow'd fire;
Teach it the magic of thy lyre,
That I may boldly forth and claim
Like thee, the choicest gift of fame,—
A deathless, great, and glorious name!
| [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings | |