Thou metamorphic god! <br />Who mak'st the straight Olympus thy abode, <br />Hermes to subtle laughter moving, <br />Apollo with serener loving, <br />Thou demi-god also! <br />Who dost all the powers of healing know; <br />Thou hero who dost wield <br />The golden sword and shield,-- <br />Shield of a comprehensive mind, <br />And sword to wound the foes of human kind; <br /> <br />Thou man of noble mould! <br />Whose metal grows not cold <br />Beneath the hammer of the hurrying years; <br />A fiery breath doth blow <br />Across its fervid glow, <br />And still its resonance delights our ears; <br /> <br />Loved of thy brilliant mates, <br />Relinquished to the fates, <br />Whose spirit music used to chime with thine, <br />Transfigured in our sight, <br />Not quenched in death's dark night, <br />They hold thee in companionship divine. <br /> <br />O autocratic muse! <br />Soul-rainbow of all hues, <br />Packed full of service are thy bygone years; <br />Thy winged steed doth fly <br />Across the starry sky, <br />Bearing the lowly burthens of thy tears. <br /> <br />I try this little leap, <br />Wishing that from the deep, <br />I might some pearl of song adventurous bring. <br />Despairing, here I stop, <br />And my poor offering drop,-- <br />Why stammer I when thou art here to sing?<br /><br />Julia Ward Howe<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tribute-to-oliver-wendell-holmes/
