Richard B. Davis (1771-1799). Thou Art the Muse. Samuel Kettell, ed. 1829. Specimens of American Poetry

Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829.

Thou Art the Muse

By Richard B. Davis (1771–1799)


NO genius lends its sacred fire
To animate my song;
To me no heaven-presented lyre
Or muse-taught verse belong.

She who first charm’d my soul to love,	5
Inspired the tuneful breath;
With love-instructed hand I wove
For her the early wreath.

To her the softest strains I owe
Who first inspired the flame;	10
And sweetest shall the numbers flow,
When graced with Emma’s name.