Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By JohnAlbee

561 Landor

COME, Walter Savage Landor, come this way;

Step through the lintel low, with prose or verse,

Tallest of latter men; the early star

And latest setting sun of great compeers;

Through youth, through manhood, and extremest age,

Strong at the root, and at the top, blossoms

Perennial. When culled the fields around

Still calling up the great for wisest talk,

Or singing clear some fresh, melodious stave,

Not sickly-sweet, but like ripe autumn fruit,

Of which not one but all the senses taste,

And leave uncloyed the dainty appetite.

Great English master of poetic art,

In these late times that dandle every muse,

Here mayst thou air all day thine eloquence,

And I a never weary listener,

If thou at eve wilt sing one witty song,

Or chant some line of cadenced, classic hymn.