University of Virginia Library

V.

And so he grew and wrestled for the right;
True man! true bard! who battled with the strong;
And, having crowned his poverty with song,
He brought it boldly forth into the light,
Heedless of jibe or jeer; and all men sought
To see the wonder which the bard had wrought;
Great, as though under some enchanter's rod,
A shapeless block of stone had shimmered out a god!