234
KNICKERBOCKER GALLERY.
Sound! for the land's gray fathers, yet once more,
Whose mighty shadows cloud the Stygian shore;
Launch their proud names on ever-rushing rhyme!
Shrine them in niches to confront all tune!
Set their bold portraits in the golden frame
Of song! and hang them on the walls of fame!"
Apollo ceased, and waved his last adieu!
Seized on the reins, and dashed along the blue.
The crowd, dissolving, scattered down the hill.
Homeward I followed, shocked to witness still
As each, returning, went his usual round,
What poor return the god's good counsel found.
Bryant went scribbling "leaders" as before;
And Willis, prosy idyls yet once more;
While drowsy Halleck laid him in his cloak,
To close the nap the intruding god had broke:
So must advice unrelished be put by!
Once more I turned me to the glowing sky,
Fired by the glory of Apollo's car,
O'er sapphire pavement spinning fast and far,
When the rude poker woke me with a clang!
The bubble burst! the coursers diverse sprang!
And through the dazzling fragments, all amazed,
On the tame glory of the grate I gazed!
Who jogged my elbow? Was it goddess fair?
Or Muse to charm me with a chaunted air?
Or Ganymede, with nectar held to me?
Only good spouse with cup of homely tea!
Whose mighty shadows cloud the Stygian shore;
Launch their proud names on ever-rushing rhyme!
Shrine them in niches to confront all tune!
Set their bold portraits in the golden frame
Of song! and hang them on the walls of fame!"
Apollo ceased, and waved his last adieu!
Seized on the reins, and dashed along the blue.
The crowd, dissolving, scattered down the hill.
Homeward I followed, shocked to witness still
As each, returning, went his usual round,
What poor return the god's good counsel found.
Bryant went scribbling "leaders" as before;
And Willis, prosy idyls yet once more;
While drowsy Halleck laid him in his cloak,
To close the nap the intruding god had broke:
So must advice unrelished be put by!
Once more I turned me to the glowing sky,
Fired by the glory of Apollo's car,
O'er sapphire pavement spinning fast and far,
When the rude poker woke me with a clang!
The bubble burst! the coursers diverse sprang!
And through the dazzling fragments, all amazed,
On the tame glory of the grate I gazed!
Who jogged my elbow? Was it goddess fair?
Or Muse to charm me with a chaunted air?
Or Ganymede, with nectar held to me?
Only good spouse with cup of homely tea!
