[BRYANT, William Cullen (1794-1878).] "To a Waterfowl," "Translation of a Fragment of Simonides," and "To a Friend on his Marriage," in The North American Review Vol. 6, no. 18. Boston: Cummings and Hilliard, March 1818.

He who, from zone to zone,
Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight,
In the long way that I must tread alone,
Will lead my steps aright.

Scarce first appearance in print of three of Bryant's poems, including one of his most famous, "To a Waterfowl"—uncut in original wrappers. To a Waterfowl was a major moment in American poetic history, described by Matthew Arnold as "the best short poem in the language." Bryant was inspired to compose it while on one of his long walks between the family homestead in Cummington and Plainfield, where he worked as a disappointed lawyer. Bryant's work had first appeared in the North America Review the previous year, when his father surreptitiously submitted some poetic fragments (which would eventually become Thanatopsis) to the magazine. His work was so popular that he became a regular contributor—although often anonymously. To a Waterfowl and Translation of a Fragment of Simonides were later re-printed in Bryant's Poems. The last copy recorded at auction by RBH was in 1909. Not in BAL.

Octavo (235 x 143mm). pp. 383-384 (some stains and spots). Original drab wrapper, with title in ink on upper cover, untrimmed (dampstained with some chips and losses to spine panel).