Thou father of the children of my brain 
By thee engendered in my willing heart, 
How can I thank thee for this gift of art 
Poured out so lavishly, and not in vain. 

What thou created never more can die, 
Thy fructifying power lives in me 
And I conceive, knowing it is by thee, 
Dear other parent of my poetry! 

For I was but a shadow with a name, 
Perhaps by now the very name's forgot; 
So strange is Fate that it has been my lot 
To learn through thee the presence of that aim 

Which evermore must guide me. All unknown, 
By me unguessed, by thee not even dreamed, 
A tree has blossomed in a night that seemed 
Of stubborn, barren wood. For thou hast sown 

This seed of beauty in a ground of truth. 
Humbly I dedicate myself, and yet 
I tremble with a sudden fear to set 
New music ringing through my fading youth.