Classic Poem

Meet is the praise of men to him addressed
Whose knightly role such manfulness expressed;
Yet critic pages clarify in vain
That which his life was given to explain,
And epitaphs our wonder scarce command
While round his name arts blossom and expand.

Not praise, nor comment sage, nor carven stone,
Shall greaten him as doth one who, alone,
With claim more strong than any claim of Art
Doth cherish Irving in the Abbey's heart;
Warm with her memories where cold Art enshrined,
Mutely Love guards the generous, brave, and kind!