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Poems Every Child Should Know

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<h3>Crossing the Bar</h3> <div class="pre_poem">Tennyson's (1809-92) "Crossing the Bar" is one of the noblest death-songs ever written. I include it in this volume out of respect to a young Philadelphia publisher who recited it one stormy night before the passengers of a ship when I was crossing the Atlantic, and also because so many young people have the good taste to love it. It has been said that next to Browning's "Prospice" it is the greatest death-song ever written. </div> <table class="poem" summary="poem"><tr><td><div class="stanza"> Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, </div> <div class="stanza"> But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. </div> <div class="stanza"> Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; </div> <div class="stanza"> For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have cross'd the bar. </div> </td></tr></table> Alfred Tennyson. <h3>The Overland-Mail.</h3> <div class="pre_poem">"The Overland-Mail" is a most desirable poem for children to learn. When one boy learns it the others want to follow. It takes as a hero the man who gives common service—the one who does not lead or command, but follows the line of duty. (1865-.) </div> <table class="poem" summary="poem"><tr><td><div class="stanza"> In the name of the Empress of India, make way, O Lords of the Jungle wherever you roam, The woods are astir at the close of the day— We exiles are waiting for letters from Home— Let the robber retreat; let the tiger turn tail, In the name of the Empress the Overland-Mail! </div> <div class="stanza"> With a jingle of bells as the dusk gathers in, He turns to the foot-path that leads up the hill— The bags on his back, and a cloth round his chin, And, tucked in his belt, the Post-Office bill;— "Despatched on this date, as received by the rail, Per runner, two bags of the Overland-Mail." </div> <div class="stanza"> Is the torrent in spate? He must ford it or swim. Has the rain wrecked the road? He must climb by the cliff. Does the tempest cry "Halt"? What are tempests to him? The service admits not a "but" or an "if"; While the breath's in his mouth, he must bear without fail, In the name of the Empress the Overland-Mail. </div> <div class="stanza"> From aloe to rose-oak, from rose-oak to fir, From level to upland, from upland to crest, From rice-field to rock-ridge, from rock-ridge to spur, Fly the soft-sandalled feet, strains the brawny brown chest. From rail to ravine—to the peak from the vale— Up, up through the night goes the Overland-Mail. </div> <div class="stanza"> There's a speck on the hillside, a dot on the road— A jingle of bells on the foot-path below— There's a scuffle above in the monkeys' abode— The world is awake, and the clouds are aglow— For the great Sun himself must attend to the hail;— In the name of the Empress the Overland-Mail. </div> </td></tr></table> Rudyard Kipling. <h3>Gathering Song of Donald Dhu.</h3> <div class="pre_poem">Jon, do you remember when you used to spout "Pibroch of Donald Dhu"? I think you were ten years old. Sir Walter Scott's men all have a genius for standing up to their guns, and boys gather up the man's genius when reciting his verse. (1771-1832.) </div> <table class="poem" summary="poem"><tr><td><div class="stanza"> Pibroch of Donuil Dhu, Pibroch of Donuil, Wake thy wild voice anew, Summon Clan Conuil. Come away, come away, Hark to the summons! Come in your war-array, Gentles and commons. </div> <div class="stanza"> Come from deep glen, and From mountain so rocky, The war-pipe and pennon Are at Inverlochy. Come every hill-plaid, and True heart that wears one, Come every steel blade, and Strong hand that bears one. </div> <div class="stanza"> Leave untended the herd, The flock without shelter; Leave the corpse uninterr'd, The bride at the altar; Leave the deer, leave the steer, Leave nets and barges: Come with your fighting gear, Broadswords and targes. </div> <div class="stanza"> Come as the winds come, when Forests are rended; Come as the waves come, when Navies are stranded: Faster come, faster come, Faster and faster, Chief, vassal, page, and groom, Tenant and master. </div> <div class="stanza"> Fast they come, fast they come; See how they gather! Wide waves the eagle plume Blended with heather, Cast your plaids, draw your blades, Forward each man set! Pibroch of Donuil Dhu Knell for the onset! </div> </td></tr></table> Sir Walter Scott. <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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