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Home  »  Specimens of American Poetry  »  Richard B. Davis (1771–1799)

Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829.

By Thou Art the Muse

Richard B. Davis (1771–1799)

NO genius lends its sacred fire

To animate my song;

To me no heaven-presented lyre

Or muse-taught verse belong.

She who first charm’d my soul to love,

Inspired the tuneful breath;

With love-instructed hand I wove

For her the early wreath.

To her the softest strains I owe

Who first inspired the flame;

And sweetest shall the numbers flow,

When graced with Emma’s name.