| James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | | | November 23 | | To Philip Massinger, “A Stranger” | | By Charles Edward Russell (1860–1941) |
| | (Born November 23, 1583)
ALONE thy spirit went, thy thoughts alone, | |
| Scorner of courts and pomps and tinsel kings, | |
| Watchman of morning and the light that brings | |
| Freedom to men, crushing of tyrant’s throne, | |
| And retribution for the people’s moan! | 5 |
| Beneath the shadow of the brooding wings | |
| In gloom and sorrow were thy wanderings, | |
| And men to him that loved them gave—this stone; | |
| But now to us no more “a stranger” thou; | |
| From lands beyond thy dreaming come acclaim | 10 |
| And hail of “Brother,” after all these years— | |
| “Brother and seer!” Sweet face and mournful brow | |
| Are known and loved of all men, as thy name | |
| And sad soul-song and story, read through tears. | | | | |
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