Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
The Colossi
By Thomas Gold Appleton (1812–1884)[Born in Boston, Mass., 1812. Died in New York, N. Y., 1884. A Nile Journal. 1876.]
B
Earth’s childhood smiling in their lifted eyes,
While the hoar wisdom which the dead years gave
Upon each placid brow engraven lies—
Two on the plain and Four beside the wave
Keep watch and ward above the centuries.
As is the sand which flies, our little lives
Glitter and whirl a moment and are gone;
A day it lives, then to Oblivion drives
The haughtiest empire and the loftiest throne:
Swiftly to all the appointed hour arrives,
Men—nations pass, but they remain alone,
Mute in the azure silence of these skies,
Immortal childhood looking from their eyes.