76
the sculptor's dream of home.
Reared their blue summits to the summer heaven;
Broad prairie lands, where bounds the buffalo,
Still stretched, unmeasured by the gazer's eye;
And the far-reaching rivers, deep and strong,
Linked shining lakes with ocean.—But for him,
Though fair as Eden were its grassy vales,
Its wooded heights, and rush of crystal waves,
His spirit's eager wing sought other climes.
A restless craving for the beautiful
In art, lured him from home and country:
Fame's silver trumpet rang upon his ear—
Her laurel wreath hung o'er him in the clouds,
And for the deathless garland burned his brow.
Italy! thrice glorious Italy!
The cradle of young Genius, nurse of Art,
Seemed as the Promised Land, and thither roamed
His willing feet.
Broad prairie lands, where bounds the buffalo,
Still stretched, unmeasured by the gazer's eye;
And the far-reaching rivers, deep and strong,
Linked shining lakes with ocean.—But for him,
Though fair as Eden were its grassy vales,
Its wooded heights, and rush of crystal waves,
His spirit's eager wing sought other climes.
A restless craving for the beautiful
In art, lured him from home and country:
Fame's silver trumpet rang upon his ear—
Her laurel wreath hung o'er him in the clouds,
And for the deathless garland burned his brow.
Italy! thrice glorious Italy!
The cradle of young Genius, nurse of Art,
Seemed as the Promised Land, and thither roamed
His willing feet.
And the bright goal was won!
Fame numbered him among her noblest sons,
And 'neath his touch, shapes of unearthly beauty,
Such as in dreams ethereal only dwell,
Or in the poet's fancy start to life,
Fame numbered him among her noblest sons,
And 'neath his touch, shapes of unearthly beauty,
Such as in dreams ethereal only dwell,
Or in the poet's fancy start to life,
