Evangeline by Longfellow

I have been reading Evangeline by Longfellow.  Longfellow is considered by some to be the most beloved American poet, and Evangeline is the epic poem which gave him that status.  Originally, the concept of the story was offered to Nathaniel Hawthorne , who basically had no interest in writing a novel about it.  Longfellow asked Hawthorne if he could write a poem using the tale.  It really is a tragic tale, but is a real love story.  Evangeline is betrothed and falls in love with Gabriel.  Gabriel is taken away by force.  She searches for him for years and.....well in case you want to read it, I will end there.  A literary contrast that to Nathaniel Hawthorne's love story would be very interesting.

Longfellow's imagery is breathtaking.  Here are the first few lines ....

THIS is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,
Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic,
Stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosoms.
Loud from its rocky caverns, the deep-voiced neighboring ocean
 The Whole Poem in any format you want.

A link to the background of the story...Here