To A Godson (1861)

(With an album containing portraits of all those who at the time of his birth were leaders in the intellectual and political world.)

Here hast thou before thee that constellation

Whereunder was born thy light;

These stars in the vault of high thoughts' mutation

Will fashion thy life with might.

Their prophecy, little one, we cannot know,

They light up the way that, unknown, thou shalt go

And kindle the thoughts that within shall glow.

Thou first shalt them gather,

Then choose thine own, -

So canst thou the rather

Grope on alone.