Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

By Thou Art the Muse

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,

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;

And sweetest shall the numbers flow,

When graced with Emma’s name.