| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | I. The Master Bards | | By Thomas Buchanan Read (1822–1872) |
| | | YE mighty masters of the song sublime, | |
| Who, phantom-like, with large unwavering eyes, | |
| Stalk down the solemn wilderness of Time, | |
| Reading the mystery of the future skies; | |
| O, scorn not earth because it is not heaven; | 5 |
| Nor shake the dust against us of your feet, | |
| Because we have rejected what was given! | |
| Still let your tongues the wondrous theme repeat! | |
| Though ye be friendless in this solitude, | |
| Quick-wingéd thoughts from many an unborn year, | 10 |
| God-sent, shall feed ye with prolific food, | |
| Like those blest birds which fed the ancient seer; | |
| And Inspiration, like a wheeléd flame, | |
| Shall bear ye upward to eternal fame! | | | | |
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