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Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

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BECOMING AMERICA<br />

REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE<br />

thou hast chained the wheel <strong>of</strong> Chance, and shalt sit hereafter out <strong>of</strong> fear <strong>from</strong> her<br />

rotations. A political vic<strong>to</strong>ry, a rise <strong>of</strong> rents, the recovery <strong>of</strong> your sick or the return<br />

<strong>of</strong> your absent friend, or some other favorable event raises your spirits, and you<br />

think good days are preparing for you. Do not believe it. Nothing can bring you<br />

peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph <strong>of</strong> principles.<br />

4.11.4 “Experience”<br />

(1844)<br />

The lords <strong>of</strong> life, the lords <strong>of</strong> life,—<br />

I saw them pass<br />

In their own guise,<br />

Like and unlike,<br />

Portly and grim,—<br />

Use and Surprise,<br />

Surface and Dream,<br />

Succession swift and spectral Wrong,<br />

Temperament without a <strong>to</strong>ngue,<br />

<strong>An</strong>d the inven<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the game<br />

Omnipresent without name;—<br />

Some <strong>to</strong> see, some <strong>to</strong> be guessed,<br />

They marched <strong>from</strong> east <strong>to</strong> west:<br />

Little man, least <strong>of</strong> all,<br />

Among the legs <strong>of</strong> his guardians tall,<br />

Walked about with puzzled look.<br />

Him by the hand dear Nature <strong>to</strong>ok,<br />

Dearest Nature, strong and kind,<br />

Whispered, ‘Darling, never mind!<br />

To-morrow they will wear another face,<br />

The founder thou; these are thy race!<br />

4.11.5 “Merlin”<br />

(1837)<br />

I.<br />

Thy trivial harp will never please<br />

Or ll my craving ear;<br />

Its chords should ring as blows the breeze,<br />

Free, peremp<strong>to</strong>ry, clear.<br />

No jingling serenader’s art,<br />

Nor tinkle <strong>of</strong> piano strings,<br />

Can make the wild blood start<br />

In its mystic springs.<br />

The kingly bard<br />

Page | 901

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