Thou father of the children of my brain br By thee engendered in my willing heart, br How can I thank thee for this gift of art br Poured out so lavishly, and not in vain. br br What thou created never more can die, br Thy fructifying power lives in me br And I conceive, knowing it is by thee, br Dear other parent of my poetry! br br For I was but a shadow with a name, br Perhaps by now the very name's forgot; br So strange is Fate that it has been my lot br To learn through thee the presence of that aim br br Which evermore must guide me. All unknown, br By me unguessed, by thee not even dreamed, br A tree has blossomed in a night that seemed br Of stubborn, barren wood. For thou hast sown br br This seed of beauty in a ground of truth. br Humbly I dedicate myself, and yet br I tremble with a sudden fear to set br New music ringing through my fading youth.