To a Certain Person

Why is it, in the verse I write, That never do I mention you? It is so that, myself, I might From yours be ever absent too. Clement Marot trans. Norman R. Shapiro 2002

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The Advent of Spring

Under the beechful eye, When causeless brandlings bring, Let the froddering crooner cry, And the braddled sapster sing. For never and never again Will the tottering bauble bray, For bratticed wrackers are singing aloud, And the throngers croon in May! The wrackling globe unstrung, Unstrung in the frittering light Of a moon that knows no [...]

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A comparison of the Life of Man

MAN’s life is well compared to a feast, Furnished with choice of all variety: To it comes Time; and as a bidden guest He sits him down, in pomp and majesty: The threefold age of Man the waiters be. Then with an earthen voider, made of clay, Comes Death, and takes the table clean away. [...]

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Rain

The Rain was grey before it fell         And through a world where light had died There ran a mournful little wind That shook the trees and cried.   The rain was brown upon the earth,     In turbid stream and tiny seas—” In swift and slender shafts that beat     The flowers to their [...]

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My Mind to Me a Kingdom Is

Sir Edward Dyer d. 1604 MY mind to me a kingdom is; Such present joys therein I find, That it excels all other bliss That earth affords or grows by kind: Though much I want that most would have, 5 Yet still my mind forbids to crave. No princely pomp, no wealthy store, No force [...]

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Poem by Walter Savage Landor

She I love (alas in vain!) Floats before my slumbering eyes: When she comes she lulls my pain, When she goes what pangs arise! Thou whom love, whom memory flies, Gentle Sleep! prolong thy reign! If even thus she soothe my sighs, Never let me wake again! Walter Savage Landor

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The Burning Babe

As I in hoary winter’s night stood shivering in the snow, Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow; And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near, A pretty babe all burning bright did in the air appear; Who, scorched with excessive heat, such floods of tears [...]

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Lines Written Abroad

I HAVE but left my pleasant home     And native vales, to die!– Ah wherefore did the wish to roam, So wildly o’er my spirit come,     And urge so temptingly ! My Mother !–thou wilt hope in vain,     Thy wandering one’s return:– ‘Twould calm the bitterness of pain, If once on thy dear face again     My [...]

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An Ode

The Spacious Firmament on high, with all the blue ethereal sky, And spangled heavens, a shining frame, Their great Original proclaim. The unwearied sun from day to day Does his Creator’s power display, And publishes to every land The work of an almighty Hand.   Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up [...]

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Along the Track

The track has led me out beyond the town To follow day across the waning fields, The crisping weeds and wastes of tender brown.   On either side the feathered tops are high, A tracery of broken arabesques Upon the sullen crimson of the sky.   Into the west the narrowing rails are sped. They [...]

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