Page:The Poetical Works of Jonathan E. Hoag.djvu/81

 To One

On whose silvered locks lightly rest the crown of fourscore and seven well spent years: A favoured Child of Nature, who has brought to the snows of December the May time spirit. For whom each whispering treetop has a song; to whom each tiny rivulet tells a story, and each flower and stone conveys a message. One who has traversed his country's breadth; who has scaled her lofty summits; who has found rest in her peaceful valleys.

A man of ideals; of high principles; of strong convictions; of warm emotions;

A student; a thinker; a philosopher; a poet, clothing the humble scenes of life with pure imagery and quaint diction.

A Gentleman of the Old School; whose innate courtesy and noble dignity, whose fine culture and keen intelligence place him as a peer among his fellows; yet whose simplicity and kindliness make for him friends among all classes.

To such an One—Our Neighbor, Our Friend; Jonathan E. Hoag—We render this humble tribute. VERNA McGEOCH MURCH.

JAMES F. MORTON, Jr.