Though we know well,
“That’t is not in the power of kings [or
presidents] to raise
A spirit for verse that is not born thereto,
Nor are they born in every prince’s days”;
yet spite of all they sang in praise of their “Eliza’s reign,” we have evidence that poets may be born and sing in our day, in the presidency of James K. Polk,
“And that the utmost powers of English rhyme,”
Were not “within her peaceful reign confined.”
The prophecy of the poet Daniel is already how much more than fulfilled!
“And who in time knows whither we may vent
The treasure of our tongue? To what strange shores
This gain of our best glory shall be sent,
T’ enrich unknowing nations with our stores?
What worlds in th’ yet unformed occident,
May come refined with the accents that are ours.
(Henry David Thoreau, "A week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers", Sunday)
Every path but your own is the path of fate.Keep on your own track then
(WALDEN)
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