[Gutenberg 6574] • Watchers of the Sky

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The Torch-Bearers

Watchers of the Sky

After the prologue come seven long poems, each of which depicts salient episodes in the career of a major scientist, so as to bring out both the "intensely human drama" ("Prefatory Note") of his life and his contribution to astronomy. Noyes' seven scientists are Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Kepler, Galileo, Newton, and William and John Herschel — though due mention is also made of the contribution of Caroline Herschel, sister to William and aunt to John. In the epilogue, Noyes meditates once more upon the mountain in the morning, before bringing his narrative to a close in the form of a prayer.