To Longfellow.

The crown of stars is broken in parts,

Its jewels brighter than the day,

Have one by one been stolen away

To shine in other homes and hearts.

--[Hanging of the Crane.]

Each poem is a star that shines

Within your crown of light;

Each jeweled thought--a fadeless gem

That dims the stars of night.

A flower here and there, so sweet,

Its fragrance fills the earth,

Is woven in among the gems

Of proud, immortal birth.

Each wee Forget-me-not hath eyes

As blue as yonder skies,

To tell the world each song of thine

Is one that never dies.

The purple pansies stained with gold,

The roses royal red,

In softened splendor shadow forth

The truths thy life hath said.

Oh would the earth were filled with flowers

To crown thee poet-king!

And all the world unto thy feet

Its wealth of love could fling.

And would I were one lowly flower

That fell beneath thy feet;

That even in dying I might win

One verse of music sweet.

The poet-heart doth hold the power

To thrill the hearts of men;

And though the chain is broken quite

It joins the links again.

No hand like thine can sweep the chords,

No heart like thine can sing;

The poet-world is full of song

And thou alone art king!

Oh would my eyes could see thy face

On which the glory shines!

And would my soul could trace the thought

That lies between the lines!

But though my eyes may never see,

My heart will worship still;

And at the fountain of thy song

My soul will drink its fill.

Thy crown of stars will never break,

Its circle is complete;

And yet each heart some gem will keep

To make its life more sweet.

The following autograph letter was received from the poet:

Dear Miss Sherrick:- I am much pleased and touched by the graceful and beautiful tribute you have paid me in your poem.    I beg you to accept my best thanks for these kind words, and for the friendly expressions of your letter, which I have left too long unanswered.

Pardon the delay and believe me with great regard,

Yours sincerely,

Henry W. Longfellow.