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A Southern Singer.

By James Whitcomb Riley

Topics: classic

Written In Madison Caweln's "Lyrics and Idyls."         Herein are blown from out the South         Songs blithe as those of Pan's pursed mouth -         As sweet in voice as, in perfume,         The night-breath of magnolia-bloom.         Such sumptuous languor lures the sense -         Such luxury of indolence -         The eyes blur as a nymph's might blur,         With water-lilies watching her.         You waken, thrilling at the trill         Of some wild bird that seems to spill         The silence full of winey drips         Of song that Fancy sips and sips.         Betimes, in brambled lanes wherethrough         The chipmunk stripes himself from view,         You pause to lop a creamy spray         Of elder-blossoms by the way.         Or where the morning dew is yet         Gray on the topmost rail, you set         A sudden palm and, vaulting, meet         Your vaulting shadow in the wheat.         On lordly swards, of suave incline,         Entessellate with shade and shine,         You shall misdoubt your lowly birth,         Clad on as one of princely worth:         The falcon on your wrist shall ride -         Your milk-white Arab side by side         With one of raven-black. - You fain         Would kiss the hand that holds the rein.         Nay, nay, Romancer!    Poet!    Seer!         Sing us back home - from there to here;         Grant your high grace and wit, but we         Most honor your simplicity. -         Herein are blown from out the South         Songs blithe as those of Pan's pursed mouth -         As sweet in voice as, in perfume,         The night-breath of magnolia-bloom.

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"Written In Madison Caweln's "Lyrics and Idyls."..."

Exploring the themes of classic, James Whitcomb Riley delivers a powerful performance in "A Southern Singer."... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

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Author:James Whitcomb Riley

"Written In Madison Caweln's "Lyrics and Idyls."..." by James Whitcomb Riley

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James Whitcomb Riley

About James Whitcomb Riley

James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916) was an American poet known as the "Hoosier Poet." His dialect poems—including "Little Orphant Annie" and "When the Frost Is on the Punkin"—celebrate rural Indiana life and childhood nostalgia.

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