Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By SamuelWard

339 A Proem

WHEN in my walks I meet some ruddy lad—

Or swarthy man—with tray-beladen head,

Whose smile entreats me, or his visage sad,

To buy the images he moulds for bread,

I think that,—though his poor Greek Slave in chains,

His Venus and her Boy with plaster dart,

Be, like the Organ-Grinder’s quavering strains,

But farthings in the currency of art,—

Such coins a kingly effigy still wear,

Let metals base or precious in them mix:

The painted vellum hallows not the Prayer,

Nor ivory nor gold the Crucifix.