| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Sub Pondere Crescit | | By Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1823–1911) |
| | | CAN this be he, whose morning footstep trod | |
| O’er the green earth as in a regal home? | |
| Whose voice rang out beneath the skyey dome | |
| Like the high utterance of a youthful god? | |
| Now with wan looks and gaze that seeks the sod, | 5 |
| Restless and purposeless as ocean-foam, | |
| Across the twilight fields I see him roam | |
| With shoulders bowed, as shrinking from the rod. | |
| O lift the old-time light within thine eyes! | |
| Set free the pristine passion from thy tongue! | 10 |
| Strength grows with burdens; make an end of sighs. | |
| Let thy thoughts soar again their mates among, | |
| And as yon oriole’s eager matins rise, | |
| Abroad once more be thy strong anthem flung! | | | | |
|
|
