Who was the first to bid thee glad all-hail,
O friend and master? Who with wingèd feet
Over the heavenly hills flew, fast and fleet,
To bring thee welcome from beyond the veil?
The mighty bards of old?—Thy Dante, pale
With high thoughts even yet, Virgil the sweet,
Old Homer, trumpet-tongued, and Chaucer, meet
To clasp thy stainless hand? What nightingale
Of all that sing in heaven sang first to thee?
Through all the hallelujahs didst thou hear
Spencer still pouring his melodious lays,
Majestic Milton’s clarion, strong and free,
Or, golden link between the far and near,
Bryant’s clear chanting of the eternal days?