| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 420. Inspiration |
| | | By Samuel Johnson |
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| LIFE of Ages, richly poured, | |
| Love of God, unspent and free, | |
| Flowing in the Prophet’s word | |
| And the People’s liberty! | |
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| Never was to chosen race | 5 |
| That unstinted tide confined; | |
| Thine is every time and place, | |
| Fountain sweet of heart and mind! | |
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| Secret of the morning stars, | |
| Motion of the oldest hours, | 10 |
| Pledge through elemental wars | |
| Of the coming spirit’s powers! | |
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| Rolling planet, flaming sun, | |
| Stand in nobler man complete; | |
| Prescient laws Thine errands run, | 15 |
| Frame the shrine for Godhead meet. | |
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| Homeward led, the wondering eye | |
| Upward yearned in joy or awe, | |
| Found the love that waited nigh, | |
| Guidance of Thy guardian Law. | 20 |
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| In the touch of earth it thrilled; | |
| Down from mystic skies it burned: | |
| Right obeyed and passion stilled | |
| Its eternal gladness earned. | |
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| Breathing in the thinker’s creed, | 25 |
| Pulsing in the hero’s blood, | |
| Nerving simplest thought and deed, | |
| Freshening time with truth and good, | |
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| Consecrating art and song, | |
| Holy book and pilgrim track, | 30 |
| Hurling floods of tyrant wrong | |
| From the sacred limits back,— | |
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| Life of Ages, richly poured, | |
| Love of God, unspent and free, | |
| Flow still in the Prophet’s word | 35 |
| And the People’s liberty! | |
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