Poems - English Pre-Romanticism

8/20/2019 Poems - English Pre-Romanticism

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/poems-english-pre-romanticism 1/128

POETRY

Thomas Gray

Robert Burns

William Blake

William Wordsworth

Samuel Taylor Coleridge



Elegy Written in a Country ChurchyardBY THOMAS GRAY

The curew tolls the knell o !arting day"

The lowing herd wind slowly o#er the lea"

The !lowman homeward !lods his weary way"

$nd lea%es the world to darkness and to me&

'ow ades the glimm#ring landsca!e on the sight"

$nd all the air a solemn stillness holds"

Sa%e where the beetle wheels his droning light"

$nd drowsy tinklings lull the distant olds(

Sa%e that rom yonder i%y)mantled tow#r

The mo!ing owl does to the moon com!lain

O such" as wand#ring near her secret bow#r"

*olest her ancient solitary reign&

Beneath those rugged elms" that yew)tree#s shade"

Where hea%es the tur in many a mould#ring hea!"

Each in his narrow cell or e%er laid"

The rude oreathers o the hamlet slee!&

The bree+y call o incense)breathing *orn"

The swallow twitt#ring rom the straw)built shed"

The cock#s shrill clarion" or the echoing horn"

'o more shall rouse them rom their lowly bed&

,or them no more the bla+ing hearth shall burn"

Or busy housewie !ly her e%ening care-

'o children run to lis! their sire#s return"

Or climb his knees the en%ied kiss to share&

Ot did the har%est to their sickle yield"

Their urrow ot the stubborn glebe has broke(

.ow /ocund did they dri%e their team aield0

.ow bow#d the woods beneath their sturdy stroke0

1et not $mbition mock their useul toil"

Their homely /oys" and destiny obscure(

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/thomas-gray





'or Grandeur hear with a disdainul smile

The short and sim!le annals o the !oor&

The boast o heraldry" the !om! o !ow#r"

$nd all that beauty" all that wealth e#er ga%e"

$waits alike th# ine%itable hour&

The !aths o glory lead but to the gra%e&

'or you" ye !roud" im!ute to these the ault"

2 *em#ry o#er their tomb no tro!hies raise"

Where thro# the long)drawn aisle and retted %ault

The !ealing anthem swells the note o !raise&

Can storied urn or animated bust

Back to its mansion call the leeting breath3

Can .onour#s %oice !ro%oke the silent dust"

Or ,latt#ry soothe the dull cold ear o 4eath3

Perha!s in this neglected s!ot is laid

Some heart once !regnant with celestial ire(

.ands" that the rod o em!ire might ha%e sway#d"

Or wak#d to ecstasy the li%ing lyre&

But 5nowledge to their eyes her am!le !age

Rich with the s!oils o time did ne#er unroll(

Chill Penury re!ress#d their noble rage"

$nd ro+e the genial current o the soul&

,ull many a gem o !urest ray serene"

The dark unathom#d ca%es o ocean bear-

,ull many a low#r is born to blush unseen"

$nd waste its sweetness on the desert air&

Some %illage).am!den" that with dauntless breast

The little tyrant o his ields withstood(

Some mute inglorious *ilton here may rest"

Some Cromwell guiltless o his country#s blood&



Th# a!!lause o list#ning senates to command"

The threats o !ain and ruin to des!ise"

To scatter !lenty o#er a smiling land"

$nd read their hist#ry in a nation#s eyes"

Their lot orbade- nor circumscrib#d alone

Their growing %irtues" but their crimes conin#d(

,orbade to wade through slaughter to a throne"

$nd shut the gates o mercy on mankind"

The struggling !angs o conscious truth to hide"

To 6uench the blushes o ingenuous shame"

Or hea! the shrine o 1u7ury and Pride

With incense kindled at the *use#s lame&

,ar rom the madding crowd#s ignoble strie"

Their sober wishes ne%er learn#d to stray(

$long the cool se6uester#d %ale o lie

They ke!t the noiseless tenor o their way&

Yet e%#n these bones rom insult to !rotect"

Some rail memorial still erected nigh"

With uncouth rhymes and sha!eless scul!ture deck#d"

2m!lores the !assing tribute o a sigh&

Their name" their years" s!elt by th# unletter#d muse"

The !lace o ame and elegy su!!ly-

$nd many a holy te7t around she strews"

That teach the rustic moralist to die&

,or who to dumb ,orgetulness a !rey"

This !leasing an7ious being e#er resign#d"

1et the warm !recincts o the cheerul day"

'or cast one longing" ling#ring look behind3

On some ond breast the !arting soul relies"

Some !ious dro!s the closing eye re6uires(

E%#n rom the tomb the %oice o 'ature cries"



E%#n in our ashes li%e their wonted ires&

,or thee" who mindul o th# unhonour#d 4ead

4ost in these lines their artless tale relate(

2 chance" by lonely contem!lation led"

Some kindred s!irit shall in6uire thy ate"

.a!ly some hoary)headed swain may say"

8Ot ha%e we seen him at the !ee! o dawn

Brushing with hasty ste!s the dews away

To meet the sun u!on the u!land lawn&

8There at the oot o yonder nodding beech

That wreathes its old antastic roots so high"

.is listless length at noontide would he stretch"

$nd !ore u!on the brook that babbles by&

8.ard by yon wood" now smiling as in scorn"

*utt#ring his wayward ancies he would ro%e"

'ow droo!ing" woeul wan" like one orlorn"

Or cra+#d with care" or cross#d in ho!eless lo%e&

8One morn 2 miss#d him on the custom#d hill"

$long the heath and near his a%#rite tree(

$nother came( nor yet beside the rill"

'or u! the lawn" nor at the wood was he(

8The ne7t with dirges due in sad array

Slow thro# the church)way !ath we saw him borne&

$!!roach and read 9or thou canst read: the lay"

Gra%#d on the stone beneath yon aged thorn&8

T.E EP2T$P.

Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth

A youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown.

Fair Science frown'd not on his humble birth,

And Melancholy mark'd him for her own.



Lare was his bounty, and his soul sincere,

Hea!'n did a recompense as larely send"

He a!e to Mis'ry all he had, a tear,

He ain'd from Hea!'n #'twas all he wish'd$ a friend.

%o farther seek his merits to disclose,

&r draw his frailties from their dread abode,

#here they alike in tremblin hope repose$

he bosom of his Father and his (od.

The 4eserted ;illage

BY OLIVER GOLDSMITH

Sweet $uburn" lo%eliest %illage o the !lain"

Where health and !lenty cheared the labouring swain"

Where smiling s!ring its earliest %isit !aid"

$nd !arting summer#s lingering blooms delayed"

4ear lo%ely bowers o innocence and ease"

Seats o my youth" when e%ery s!ort could !lease"

.ow oten ha%e 2 loitered o#er thy green"

Where humble ha!!iness endeared each scene0

.ow oten ha%e 2 !aused on e%ery charm"

The sheltered cot" the culti%ated arm"

The ne%er)ailing brook" the busy mill"

The decent church that to!t the neighbouring hill"

The hawthorn bush" with seats beneath the shade"

,or talking age and whis!ering lo%ers made0

.ow oten ha%e 2 blest the coming day"

When toil remitting lent its turn to !lay"

$nd all the %illage train" rom labour ree"

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/oliver-goldsmith





1ed u! their s!orts beneath the s!reading tree"

While many a !astime circled in the shade"

The young contending as the old sur%eyed(

$nd many a gambol rolicked o#er the ground"

$nd slights o art and eats o strength went round(

$nd still as each re!eated !leasure tired"

Succeeding s!orts the mirthul band ins!ired(

The dancing !air that sim!ly sought renown

By holding out to tire each other down(

The swain mistrustless o his smutted ace"

While secret laughter tittered round the !lace(

The bashul %irgin#s side)long looks o lo%e"

The matron#s glance that would those looks re!ro%e0

These were thy charms" sweet %illage( s!orts like these"

With sweet succession" taught e%en toil to !lease(

These round thy bowers their chearul inluence shed"

These were thy charms<But all these charms are led&

Sweet smiling %illage" lo%eliest o the lawn"

Thy s!orts are led" and all thy charms withdrawn(

$midst thy bowers the tyrant#s hand is seen"

$nd desolation saddens all thy green-

One only master gras!s the whole domain"

$nd hal a tillage stints thy smiling !lain(

'o more thy glassy brook relects the day"

But" choaked with sedges" works its weedy way(

$long thy glades" a solitary guest"

The hollow)sounding bittern guards its nest(



$midst thy desert walks the la!wing lies"

$nd tires their echoes with un%aried cries&

Sunk are thy bowers" in sha!eless ruin all"

$nd the long grass o#erto!s the mouldering wall(

$nd" trembling" shrinking rom the s!oiler#s hand"

,ar" ar away" thy children lea%e the land&

2ll ares the land" to hastening ills a !rey"

Where wealth accumulates" and men decay-

Princes and lords may lourish" or may ade(

$ breath can make them" as a breath has made(

But a bold !easantry" their country#s !ride"

When once destroyed" can ne%er be su!!lied&

$ time there was" ere England#s gries began"

When e%ery rood o ground maintained its man(

,or him light labour s!read her wholesome store"

=ust ga%e what lie re6uired" but ga%e no more-

.is best com!anions" innocence and health(

$nd his best riches" ignorance o wealth&

But times are altered( trade#s uneeling train

>sur! the land and dis!ossess the swain(

$long the lawn" where scattered hamlets rose"

>nwieldy wealth and cumbrous !om! re!ose(

$nd e%ery want to o!!ulence allied"

$nd e%ery !ang that olly !ays to !ride&

Those gentle hours that !lenty bade to bloom"

Those calm desires that asked but little room"

Those healthul s!orts that graced the !eaceul scene"



1i%ed in each look" and brightened all the green(

These" ar de!arting seek a kinder shore"

$nd rural mirth and manners are no more&

Sweet $uburn0 !arent o the blissul hour"

Thy glades orlorn coness the tyrant#s !ower&

.ere as 2 take my solitary rounds"

$midst thy tangling walks" and ruined grounds"

$nd" many a year ela!sed" return to %iew

Where once the cottage stood" the hawthorn grew"

Remembrance wakes with all her busy train"

Swells at my breast" and turns the !ast to !ain&

2n all my wanderings round this world o care"

2n all my gries<and God has gi%en my share<

2 still had ho!es" my latest hours to crown"

$midst these humble bowers to lay me down(

To husband out lie#s ta!er at the close"

$nd kee! the lame rom wasting by re!ose&

2 still had ho!es" or !ride attends us still"

$midst the swains to shew my book)learned skill"

$round my ire an e%ening grou!e to draw"

$nd tell o all 2 elt" and all 2 saw(

$nd" as an hare whom hounds and horns !ursue"

Pants to the !lace rom whence at irst she lew"

2 still had ho!es" my long %e7ations !ast"

.ere to return<and die at home at last&

O blest retirement" riend to lie#s decline"

Retreats rom care that ne%er must be mine"



.ow ha!!y he who crowns" in shades like these

$ youth o labour with an age o ease(

Who 6uits a world where strong tem!tations try"

$nd" since #tis hard to combat" learns to ly0

,or him no wretches" born to work and wee!"

E7!lore the mine" or tem!t the dangerous dee!(

'o surly !orter stands in guilty state

To s!urn im!loring amine rom the gate"

But on he mo%es to meet his latter end"

$ngels around beriending %irtue#s riend(

Bends to the gra%e with un!ercei%ed decay"

While resignation gently slo!es the way(

$nd" all his !ros!ects brightening to the last"

.is .ea%en commences ere the world be !ast0

Sweet was the sound" when ot at e%ening#s close"

>! yonder hill the %illage murmur rose(

There" as 2 !ast with careless ste!s and slow"

The mingling notes came soten#d rom below(

The swain res!onsi%e as the milk)maid sung"

The sober herd that lowed to meet their young"

The noisy geese that gabbled o#er the !ool"

The !layul children /ust let loose rom school"

The watch)dog#s %oice that bayed the whis!ering wind"

$nd the loud laugh that s!oke the %acant mind"

These all in sweet conusion sought the shade"

$nd illed each !ause the nightingale had made&

But now the sounds o !o!ulation ail"



'o cheerul murmurs luctuate in the gale"

'o busy ste!s the grass)grown oot)way tread"

,or all the bloomy lush o lie is led&

$ll but yon widowed" solitary thing

That eebly bends beside the !lashy s!ring(

She" wretched matron" orced in age" or bread"

To stri! the brook with mantling cresses s!read"

To !ick her wintry aggot rom the thorn"

To seek her nightly shed" and wee! till morn(

She only let o all the harmless train"

The sad historian o the !ensi%e !lain&

'ear yonder co!se" where once the garden smiled"

$nd still where many a garden)lower grows wild(

There" where a ew torn shrubs the !lace disclose"

The %illage !reacher#s modest mansion rose&

$ man he was" to all the country dear"

$nd !assing rich with orty !ounds a year(

Remote rom towns he ran his godly race"

'or e#er had changed" nor wished to change his !lace(

>n!ractised he to awn" or seek or !ower"

By doctrines ashioned to the %arying hour(

,ar other aims his heart had learned to !ri+e"

*ore skilled to raise the wretched than to rise&

.is house was known to all the %agrant train"

.e chid their wanderings but relie%ed their !ain(

The long)remembered beggar was his guest"

Whose beard descending swe!t his aged breast(



The ruined s!endthrit" now no longer !roud"

Claim#d kindred there" and had his claims allowed(

The broken soldier" kindly bade to stay"

Sate by his ire" and talked the night away(

We!t o#er his wounds" or" tales o sorrow done"

Shouldered his crutch" and shewed how ields were won&

Pleased with his guests" the good man learned to glow"

$nd 6uite orgot their %ices in their woe(

Careless their merits" or their aults to scan"

.is !ity ga%e ere charity began&

Thus to relie%e the wretched was his !ride"

$nd e%en his ailings leaned to ;irtue#s side(

But in his duty !rom!t at e%ery call"

.e watched and we!t" he !rayed and elt" or all&

$nd" as a bird each ond endearment tries"

To tem!t its new)ledged os!ring to the skies(

.e tried each art" re!ro%ed each dull delay"

$llured to brighter worlds" and led the way&

Beside the bed where !arting lie was layed"

$nd sorrow" guilt" and !ain" by turns" dismayed

The re%erend cham!ion stood& $t his control

4es!air and anguish led the struggling soul(

Comort came down the trembling wretch to raise"

$nd his last altering accents whis!ered !raise&

$t church" with meek and unaected grace"

.is looks adorned the %enerable !lace(

Truth rom his li!s !re%ailed with double sway"



$nd ools" who came to sco" remained to !ray&

The ser%ice !ast" around the !ious man"

With steady +eal" each honest rustic ran(

E%en children ollowed" with endearing wile"

$nd !lucked his gown" to share the good man#s smile&

.is ready smile a !arent#s warmth e7!rest"

Their welare !leased him" and their cares distrest-

To them his heart" his lo%e" his gries were gi%en"

But all his serious thoughts had rest in .ea%en&

$s some tall cli that lits its awul orm"

Swells rom the %ale" and midway lea%es the storm"

Tho# round its breast the rolling clouds are s!read"

Eternal sunshine settles on its head&

Beside yon straggling ence that skirts the way"

With blossomed ur+e un!roitably gay"

There" in his noisy mansion" skill#d to rule"

The %illage master taught his little school(

$ man se%ere he was" and stern to %iew"

2 knew him well" and e%ery truant knew(

Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace

The day#s disasters in his morning ace(

,ull well they laughed" with countereited glee"

$t all his /okes" or many a /oke had he-

,ull well the busy whis!er circling round"

Con%eyed the dismal tidings when he rowned(

Yet he was kind" or i se%ere in aught"

The lo%e he bore to learning was in ault(



The %illage all declared how much he knew(

#Twas certain he could write" and cy!her too(

1ands he could measure" terms and tides !resage"

$nd e%#n the story ran that he could gauge&

2n arguing too" the !arson owned his skill"

,or e%en tho# %an6uished" he could argue still(

While words o learned length and thundering sound"

$ma+ed the ga+ing rustics ranged around(

$nd still they ga+ed" and still the wonder grew"

That one small head could carry all he knew&

But !ast is all his ame& The %ery s!ot

Where many a time he trium!hed" is orgot&

'ear yonder thorn" that lits its head on high"

Where once the sign)!ost caught the !assing eye"

1ow lies that house where nut)brown draughts ins!ired"

Where grey)beard mirth and smiling toil retired"

Where %illage statesmen talked with looks !roound"

$nd news much older than their ale went round&

2magination ondly stoo!s to trace

The !arlour s!lendours o that esti%e !lace(

The white)washed wall" the nicely sanded loor"

The %arnished clock that clicked behind the door(

The chest contri%ed a double debt to !ay"

$ bed by night" a chest o drawers by day(

The !ictures !laced or ornament and use"

The twel%e good rules" the royal game o goose(

The hearth" e7ce!t when winter chill#d the day"



With as!en boughs" and lowers" and ennel gay(

While broken tea)cu!s" wisely ke!t or shew"

Ranged o#er the chimney" glistened in a row&

;ain transitory s!lendours0 Could not all

Re!rie%e the tottering mansion rom its all0

Obscure it sinks" nor shall it more im!art

$n hour#s im!ortance to the !oor man#s heart(

Thither no more the !easant shall re!air

To sweet obli%ion o his daily care(

'o more the armer#s news" the barber#s tale"

'o more the woodman#s ballad shall !re%ail(

'o more the smith his dusky brow shall clear"

Rela7 his !onderous strength" and lean to hear(

The host himsel no longer shall be ound

Careul to see the mantling bliss go round(

'or the coy maid" hal willing to be !rest"

Shall kiss the cu! to !ass it to the rest&

Yes0 let the rich deride" the !roud disdain"

These sim!le blessings o the lowly train(

To me more dear" congenial to my heart"

One nati%e charm" than all the gloss o art(

S!ontaneous /oys" where 'ature has its !lay"

The soul ado!ts" and owns their irst)born sway(

1ightly they rolic o#er the %acant mind"

>nen%ied" unmolested" unconined&

But the long !om!" the midnight mas6uerade"

With all the reaks o wanton wealth arrayed"



2n these" ere trilers hal their wish obtain"

The toiling !leasure sickens into !ain(

$nd" e%en while ashion#s brightest arts decoy"

The heart distrusting asks" i this be /oy&

Ye riends to truth" ye statesmen who sur%ey

The rich man#s /oys encrease" the !oor#s decay"

#Tis yours to /udge" how wide the limits stand

Between a s!lendid and a ha!!y land&

Proud swells the tide with loads o reighted ore"

$nd shouting ,olly hails them rom her shore(

.oards e%en beyond the miser#s wish abound"

$nd rich men lock rom all the world around&

Yet count our gains& This wealth is but a name

That lea%es our useul !roducts still the same&

'ot so the loss& The man o wealth and !ride

Takes u! a s!ace that many !oor su!!lied(

S!ace or his lake" his !ark#s e7tended bounds"

S!ace or his horses" e6ui!age" and hounds-

The robe that wra!s his limbs in silken sloth"

.as robbed the neighbouring ields o hal their growth(

.is seat" where solitary s!orts are seen"

2ndignant s!urns the cottage rom the green-

$round the world each needul !roduct lies"

,or all the lu7uries the world su!!lies&

While thus the land adorned or !leasure" all

2n barren s!lendour eebly waits the all&

$s some air emale unadorned and !lain"



Secure to !lease while youth conirms her reign"

Slights e%ery borrowed charm that dress su!!lies"

'or shares with art the trium!h o her eyes&

But when those charms are !ast" or charms are rail"

When time ad%ances" and when lo%ers ail"

She then shines orth" solicitous to bless"

2n all the glaring im!otence o dress&

Thus ares the land" by lu7ury betrayed-

2n nature#s sim!lest charms at irst arrayed(

But %erging to decline" its s!lendours rise"

2ts %istas strike" its !alaces sur!ri+e(

While" scourged by amine rom the smiling land"

The mournul !easant leads his humble band(

$nd while he sinks" without one arm to sa%e"

The country blooms<a garden" and a gra%e&

Where then" ah where" shall !o%erty reside"

To sca!e the !ressure o contiguous !ride3

2 to some common#s enceless limits strayed"

.e dri%es his lock to !ick the scanty blade"

Those enceless ields the sons o wealth di%ide"

$nd e%#n the bare)worn common is denied&

2 to the city s!ed<What waits him there3

To see !rousion that he must not share(

To see ten thousand baneul arts combined

To !am!er lu7ury" and thin mankind(

To see those /oys the sons o !leasure know"

E7torted rom his ellow)creature#s woe&



.ere while the courtier glitters in brocade"

There the !ale artist !lies the sickly trade(

.ere while the !roud their long)drawn !om!s dis!lay"

There the black gibbet glooms beside the way&

The dome where Pleasure holds her midnight reign"

.ere" richly deckt" admits the gorgeous train(

Tumultuous grandeur crowds the bla+ing s6uare"

The rattling chariots clash" the torches glare&

Sure scenes like these no troubles e#er annoy0

Sure these denote one uni%ersal /oy0

$re these thy serious thoughts3<$h" turn thine eyes

Where the !oor houseless shi%ering emale lies&

She once" !erha!s" in %illage !lenty blest"

.as we!t at tales o innocence distrest(

.er modest looks the cottage might adorn

Sweet as the !rimrose !ee!s beneath the thorn-

'ow lost to all( her riends" her %irtue led"

'ear her betrayer#s door she lays her head"

$nd" !inch#d with cold" and shrinking rom the shower"

With hea%y heart de!lores that luckless hour

When idly irst" ambitious o the town"

She let her wheel and robes o country brown&

4o thine" sweet $uburn" thine" the lo%eliest train"

4o thy air tribes !artici!ate her !ain3

E%en now" !erha!s" by cold and hunger led"

$t !roud men#s doors they ask a little bread0

$h" no& To distant climes" a dreary scene"



Where hal the con%e7 world intrudes between"

Through torrid tracts with ainting ste!s they go"

Where wild $ltama murmurs to their woe&

,ar dierent there rom all that charm#d beore"

The %arious terrors o that horrid shore(

Those bla+ing suns that dart a downward ray"

$nd iercely shed intolerable day(

Those matted woods where birds orget to sing"

But silent bats in drowsy clusters cling(

Those !oisonous ields with rank lu7uriance crowned"

Where the dark scor!ion gathers death around(

Where at each ste! the stranger ears to wake

The rattling terrors o the %engeul snake(

Where crouching tigers wait their ha!less !rey"

$nd sa%age men" more murderous still than they(

While ot in whirls the mad tornado lies"

*ingling the ra%aged landsca!e with the skies&

,ar dierent these rom e%ery ormer scene"

The cooling brook" the grassy %ested green"

The bree+y co%ert o the warbling gro%e"

That only shelter#d thets o harmless lo%e&

Good .ea%en0 what sorrows gloom#d that !arting day"

That called them rom their nati%e walks away(

When the !oor e7iles" e%ery !leasure !ast"

.ung round their bowers" and ondly looked their last"

$nd took a long arewell" and wished in %ain

,or seats like these beyond the western main(



$nd shuddering still to ace the distant dee!"

Returned and we!t" and still returned to wee!&

The good old sire the irst !re!ared to go

To new ound worlds" and we!t or others woe&

But or himsel" in conscious %irtue bra%e"

.e only wished or worlds beyond the gra%e&

.is lo%ely daughter" lo%elier in her tears"

The ond com!anion o his hel!less years"

Silent went ne7t" neglectul o her charms"

$nd let a lo%er#s or a ather#s arms&

With louder !laints the mother s!oke her woes"

$nd blessed the cot where e%ery !leasure rose(

$nd kist her thoughtless babes with many a tear"

$nd clas!t them close" in sorrow doubly dear(

Whilst her ond husband stro%e to lend relie

2n all the silent manliness o grie&

O lu7ury0 thou curst by .ea%en#s decree"

.ow ill e7changed are things like these or thee0

.ow do thy !otions" with insidious /oy"

4iuse their !leasures only to destroy0

5ingdoms" by thee" to sickly greatness grown"

Boast o a lorid %igour not their own(

$t e%ery draught more large and large they grow"

$ bloated mass o rank unwieldy woe(

Till sa!!ed their strength" and e%ery !art unsound"

4own" down they sink" and s!read a ruin round&

E%en now the de%astation is begun"



$nd hal the business o destruction done(

E%en now" methinks" as !ondering here 2 stand"

2 see the rural %irtues lea%e the land-

4own where yon anchoring %essel s!reads the sail"

That idly waiting la!s with e%ery gale"

4ownward they mo%e" a melancholy band"

Pass rom the shore" and darken all the strand&

Contented toil" and hos!itable care"

$nd kind connubial tenderness" are there(

$nd !iety with wishes !laced abo%e"

$nd steady loyalty" and aithul lo%e&

$nd thou" sweet Poetry" thou lo%eliest maid"

Still irst to ly where sensual /oys in%ade(

>nit in these degenerate times o shame"

To catch the heart" or strike or honest ame(

4ear charming nym!h" neglected and decried"

*y shame in crowds" my solitary !ride(

Thou source o all my bliss" and all my woe"

That ound#st me !oor at irst" and kee!#st me so(

Thou guide by which the nobler arts e7cell"

Thou nurse o e%ery %irtue" are thee well0

,arewell" and O where#er thy %oice be tried"

On Torno#s clis" or Pambamarca#s side"

Whether were e6uinoctial er%ours glow"

Or winter wra!s the !olar world in snow"

Still let thy %oice" !re%ailing o%er time"

Redress the rigours o the inclement clime(



$id slighted truth with thy !ersuasi%e strain"

Teach erring man to s!urn the rage o gain(

Teach him" that states o nati%e strength !ossest"

Tho# %ery !oor" may still be %ery blest(

That trade#s !roud em!ire hastes to swit decay"

$s ocean swee!s the labour#d mole away(

While sel)de!endent !ower can time dey"

$s rocks resist the billows and the sky&

The ;illage- Book 2

BY GEORGE CRABBE

The %illage lie" and e%ery care that reigns

O#er youthul !easants and declining swains(

What labour yields" and what" that labour !ast"

$ge" in its hour o languor" inds at last(

What orms the real !icture o the !oor"

4emands a song<the *use can gi%e no more&

,led are those times" i e#er such times were seen"

When rustic !oets !raised their nati%e green(

'o she!herds now" in smooth alternate %erse"

Their country#s beauty or their nym!hs# rehearse(

Yet still or these we rame the tender strain"

Still in our lays ond Corydons com!lain"

$nd she!herds# boys their amorous !ains re%eal"

The only !ains" alas0 they ne%er eel&

On *incio#s banks" in Caesar#s bounteous reign"

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/george-crabbe





2 Tityrus ound the Golden $ge again"

*ust slee!y bards the lattering dream !rolong"

*echanic echoes o the *antuan song3

,rom truth and nature shall we widely stray"

Where ;irgil" not where ,ancy" leads the way3

Yes" thus the *uses sing o ha!!y swains"

Because the *uses ne%er knew their !ains&

They boast their !easants# !i!es" but !easants now

Resign their !i!es and !lod behind the !lough(

$nd ew amid the rural tribe ha%e time

To number syllables and !lay with rhyme(

Sa%e honest 4uck" what son o %erse could share

The !oet#s ra!ture and the !easant#s care3

Or the great labours o the ield degrade

With the new !eril o a !oorer trade3

,rom one chie cause these idle !raises s!ring"

That themes so easy ew orbear to sing(

They ask no thought" re6uire no dee! design"

But swell the song and li6uey the line(

The gentle lo%er takes the rural strain"

$ nym!h his mistress and himsel a swain(

With no sad scenes he clouds his tuneul !rayer"

But all" to look like her" is !ainted air&

2 grant indeed that ields and locks ha%e charms

,or him that ga+es or or him that arms(

But when amid such !leasing scenes 2 trace

The !oor laborious nati%es o the !lace"



$nd see the mid)day sun" with er%id ray"

On their bare heads and dewy tem!les !lay(

While some" with eebler heads and ainter hearts"

4e!lore their ortune" yet sustain their !arts-

Then shall 2 dare these real ills to hide

2n tinsel tra!!ings o !oetic !ride3

'o" cast by ,ortune on a rowning coast"

Which can no gro%es nor ha!!y %alleys boast(

Where other cares than those the *use relates"

$nd other she!herds dwell with other mates(

By such e7am!les taught" 2 !aint the cot"

$s truth will !aint it" and as bards will not-

'or you" ye !oor" o lettered scorn com!lain"

To you the smoothest song is smooth in %ain(

O#ercome by labour and bowed down by time"

,eel you the barren lattery o a rhyme3

Can !oets soothe you" when you !ine or bread"

By winding myrtles round your ruined shed3

Can their light tales your weighty gries o#er!ower"

Or glad with airy mirth the toilsome hour3

1o0 where the heath" with withering brake grown o#er"

1ends the light tur that warms the neighboring !oor(

,rom thence a length o burning sand a!!ears"

Where the thin har%est wa%es its withered ears(

Rank weeds" that e%ery art and care dey"

Reign o#er the land and rob the blighted rye-

There thistles stretch their !rickly arms aar"



$nd to the ragged inant threaten war(

There !o!!ies" nodding" mock the ho!e o toil"

There the blue bugloss !aints the sterile soil(

.ardy and high" abo%e the slender shea"

The slimy mallow wa%es her silky lea(

O#er the young shoot the charlock throws a shade"

$nd the wild tare clings round the sickly blade(

With mingled tints the rocky coasts abound"

$nd a sad s!lendor %ainly shines around&

So looks the nym!h whom wretched arts adorn"

Betrayed by man" then let or man to scorn(

Whose cheek in %ain assumes the mimic rose

While her sad eyes the troubled breast disclose(

Whose outward s!lendour is but olly#s dress"

E7!osing most" when most it gilds distress&

.ere /oyless roam a wild am!hibious race"

With sullen woe dis!layed in e%ery ace(

Who ar rom ci%il arts and social ly"

$nd scowl at strangers with sus!icious eye&

.ere too the lawless merchant o the main

4raws rom his !lough th# into7icated swain(

Want only claimed the labor o the day"

But %ice now steals his nightly rest away&

Where are the swains" who" daily labor done"

With rural games !layed down the setting sun(

Who struck with matchless orce the bounding ball"

Or made the !ond#rous 6uoit obli6uely all(



While some huge $/a7" terrible and strong"

Engaged some artul stri!ling o the throng"

$nd" oiled" beneath the young >lysses ell"

When !eals o !raise the merry mischie tell3

Where now are these3<Beneath yon cli they stand"

To show the reighted !innace where to land(

To load the ready steed with guilty haste(

To ly in terror o#er the !athless waste"

Or" when detected in their straggling course"

To oil their oes by cunning or by orce(

Or" yielding !art 9when e6ual kna%es contest:"

To gain a lawless !ass!ort or the rest&

.ere" wand#ring long amid these rowning ields"

2 sought the sim!le lie that 'ature yields(

Ra!ine and Wrong and ,ear usur!ed her !lace"

$nd a bold" artul" surly" sa%age race(

Who" only skilled to take the inny tribe"

The yearly dinner" or se!tennial bribe

Wait on the shore and" as the wa%es run high"

On the tossed %essel bend their eager eye"

Which to their coast directs its %ent#rous way"

Theirs" or the ocean#s" miserable !rey&

$s on their neighbouring beach yon swallows stand"

$nd wait or a%oring winds to lea%e the land(

While still or light the ready wing is s!read-

So waited 2 the a%ouring hour" and led(

,led rom these shores where guilt and amine reign"



$nd cried" $h0 ha!less they who still remain(

Who still remain to hear the ocean roar"

Whose greedy wa%es de%our the lessening shore(

Till some ierce tide" with more im!erious sway"

Swee!s the low hut and all it holds away(

When the sad tenant wee!s rom door to door"

$nd begs a !oor !rotection rom the !oor0

But these are scenes where 'ature#s niggard hand

Ga%e a s!are !ortion to the amished land(

.ers is the ault" i here mankind com!lain

O ruitless toil and labor s!ent in %ain(

But yet in other scenes" more air in %iew"

Where Plenty smiles<alas0 she smiles or ew

$nd those who taste not" yet behold her store"

$re as the sla%es that dig the golden ore"

The wealth around them makes them doubly !oor&

Or will you deem them am!ly !aid in health"

1abor#s air child" that languishes with wealth3

Go then0 and see them rising with the sun"

Through a long course o daily toil to run(

1ike him to make the !lenteous har%est grow"

$nd yet not shard the !lenty they bestow(

See them beneath the dog)star#s raging heat"

When the knees tremble and the tem!les beat(

Behold them" leaning on their scythes" look o#er

The labour !ast" and toils to come e7!lore(

See them alternate suns and showers engage"



$nd hoard u! aches and anguish or their age(

Through ens and marshy moors their ste!s !ursue"

When their warm !ores imbibe the e%ening dew(

Then own that labour may as atal be

To these thy sla%es" as lu7ury to thee&

$mid this tribe too ot a manly !ride

Stri%es in strong toil the ainting heart to hide(

There may you see the youth o slender rame

Contend with weakness" weariness" and shame-

Yet urged along" and !roudly loth to yield"

.e stri%es to /oin his ellows o the ield(

Till long)contending nature droo!s at last"

4eclining health re/ects his !oor re!ast"

.is cheerless s!ouse the coming danger sees"

$nd mutual murmurs urge the slow disease&

Yet grant them health" #tis not or us to tell"

Though the head droo!s not" that the heart is well(

Or will you urge their homely" !lenteous are"

.ealthy and !lain and still the !oor man#s share0

Oh0 trile not with wants you cannot eel"

'or mock the misery o a stinted meal(

.omely not wholesome" !lain not !lenteous" such

$s you who en%y would disdain to touch&

Ye gentle souls" who dream o rural ease"

Whom the smooth stream and smoother sonnet !lease(

Go0 i the !eaceul cot your !raises share"

Go" look within" and ask i !eace be there-



2 !eace be his<that droo!ing weary sire"

Or theirs" that os!ring round their eeble ire"

Or hers" that matron !ale" whose trembling hand

Turns on the wretched hearth th# e7!iring brand&

'or yet can time itsel obtain or these

1ie#s latest comorts" due res!ect and ease(

,or yonder see that hoary swain" whose age

Can with no cares e7ce!t his own engage(

Who" !ro!!ed on that rude sta" looks u! to see

The bare arms broken rom the withering tree"

On which" a boy" he climbed the lotiest bough"

Then his irst /oy" but his sad emblem now&

.e once was chie in all the rustic trade"

.is steady hand the straightest urrow made(

,ull many a !ri+e he won" and still is !roud

To ind the trium!hs o his youth allowed&

$ transient !leasure s!arkles in his eyes"

.e hears and smiles" then thinks again and sighs-

,or now he /ourneys to his gra%e in !ain(

The rich disdain him" nay" the !oor disdain(

$lternate masters now their sla%e command"

$nd urge the eorts o his eeble hand(

Who" when his age attem!ts its task in %ain"

With ruthless taunts o la+y !oor com!lain&

Ot may you see him" when he tends the shee!"

.is winter)charge" beneath the hillock wee!(

Ot hear him murmur to the winds that blow



O#er his white locks and bury them in snow(

When" roused by rage and muttering in the morn"

.e mends the broken hedge with icy thorn-

8Why do 2 li%e" when 2 desire to be

$t once rom lie and lie#s long labour ree3

1ike lea%es in s!ring" the young are blown away"

Without the sorrows o a slow decay(

2" like yon withered lea" remain behind"

'i!!ed by the rost" and shi%ering in the wind(

There it abides till younger buds come on"

$s 2" now all my ellow)swains are gone(

Then" rom the rising generation thrust"

2t alls" like me" unnoticed to the dust&

8These ruitul ields" these numerous locks 2 see"

$re others# gain" but killing cares to me(

To me the children o my youth are lords"

Slow in their gits but hasty in their words-

Wants o their own demand their care" and who

,eels his own want and succors others too3

$ lonely" wretched man" in !ain 2 go"

'one need my hel! and none relie%e my woe(

Then let my bones beneath the tur be laid"

$nd men orget the wretch they would not aid&8

Thus groan the old" till" by disease o!!ressed"

They taste a inal woe" and then they rest&

Theirs is yon house that holds the !arish !oor"

Whose walls o mud scarce bear the broken door(



There" where the !utrid %a!ours" lagging" !lay"

$nd the dull wheel hums doleul through the day(

There children dwell" who know no !arents# care"

Parents" who know no children#s lo%e" dwell there(

.eart)broken matrons on their /oyless bed"

,orsaken wi%es" and mothers ne%er wed(

4e/ected widows with unheeded tears"

$nd cri!!led age with more than childhood)ears(

The lame" the blind" and" ar the ha!!iest they0

The mo!ing idiot and the madman gay&

.ere too the sick their inal doom recei%e"

.ere brought" amid the scenes o grie" to grie%e"

Where the loud groans rom some sad chamber low"

*i7ed with the clamors o the crowd below(

.ere" sorrowing" they each kindred sorrow scan"

$nd the cold charities o man to man-

Whose laws indeed or ruined age !ro%ide"

$nd strong com!ulsion !lucks the scra! rom !ride(

But still that scra! is bought with many a sigh"

$nd !ride embitters what it can#t deny&

Say ye" o!!ressed by some antastic woes"

Some /arring ner%e that bales your re!ose(

Who !ress the downy couch" while sla%es ad%ance

With timid eye to read the distant glance(

Who with sad !rayers the weary doctor tease

To name the nameless e%er)new disease(

Who with mock !atience dire com!laints endure"



Which real !ain" and that alone" can cure(

.ow would ye bear in real !ain to lie"

4es!ised" neglected" let alone to die3

.ow would ye bear to draw your latest breath"

Where all that#s wretched !a%es the way or death3

Such is that room which one rude beam di%ides"

$nd naked raters orm the slo!ing sides(

Where the %ile bands that bind the thatch are seen"

$nd lath and mud is all that lie between(

Sa%e one dull !ane" that" coarsely !atched" gi%es way

To the rude tem!est" yet e7cludes the day&

.ere" on a matted lock" with dust o#ers!read"

The droo!ing wretch reclines his languid head(

,or him no hand the cordial cu! a!!lies"

'or wi!es the tear that stagnates in his eyes(

'o riends with sot discourse his !ain beguile"

'or !romise ho!e till sickness wears a smile&

But soon a loud and hasty summons calls"

Shakes the thin roo" and echoes round the walls&

$non" a igure enters" 6uaintly neat"

$ll !ride and business" bustle and conceit(

With looks unaltered by these scenes o woe"

With s!eed that" entering" s!eaks his haste to go"

.e bids the ga+ing throng around him ly"

$nd carries ate and !hysic in his eye(

$ !otent 6uack" long %ersed in human ills"

Who irst insults the %ictim whom he kills(



Whose murd#rous hand a drowsy bench !rotect"

$nd whose most tender mercy is neglect&

Paid by the !arish or attendance here"

.e wears contem!t u!on his sa!ient sneer(

2n haste he seeks the bed where misery lies"

2m!atience marked in his a%erted eyes(

$nd" some habitual 6ueries hurried o#er"

Without re!ly" he rushes on the door-

.is droo!ing !atient" long inured to !ain"

$nd long unheeded" knows remonstrance %ain(

.e ceases now the eeble hel! to cra%e

O man" and mutely hastens to the gra%e&

But ere his death some !ious doubts arise"

Some sim!le ears" which 8bold bad8 men des!ise(

,ain would he ask the !arish !riest to !ro%e

.is title certain to the /oys abo%e(

,or this he sends the murmuring nurse" who calls

The holy stranger to these dismal walls(

$nd doth not he" the !ious man" a!!ear"

.e" 8!assing rich with orty !ounds a year83

$h0 no( a she!herd o a dierent stock"

$nd ar unlike him" eeds this little lock-

$ /o%ial youth" who thinks his Sunday#s task

$s much as God or man can airly ask(

The rest he gi%es to lo%es and labors light"

To ields the morning and to easts the night(

'one better skilled the noisy !ack to guide"



To urge their chase" to cheer them or to chide(

Sure in his shot" his game he seldom missed"

$nd seldom ailed to win his game at whist(

Then" while such honors bloom around his head"

Shall he sit sadly by the sick man#s bed

To raise the ho!e he eels not" or with +eal

To combat ears that e%#n the !ious eel

'ow once again the gloomy scene e7!lore"

1ess gloomy now( the bitter hour is o#er"

The man o many sorrows sighs no more&

>! yonder hill" behold how sadly slow

The bier mo%es winding rom the %ale below(

There lie the ha!!y dead" rom trouble ree"

$nd the glad !arish !ays the rugal ee&

'o more" oh 4eath0 thy %ictim starts to hear

Churchwarden stern" or kingly o%erseer(

'o more the armer gets his humble bow"

Thou art his lord" the best o tyrants thou0

'ow to the church behold the mourners come"

Sedately tor!id and de%outly dumb(

The %illage children now their games sus!end"

To see the bier that bears their ancient riend-

,or he was one in all their idle s!ort"

$nd like a monarch ruled their little court(

The !liant bow he ormed" the lying ball"

The bat" the wicket" were his labours all(

.im now they ollow to his gra%e" and stand



Silent and sad" and ga+ing" hand in hand(

While bending low" their eager eyes e7!lore

The mingled relics o the !arish !oor&

The bell tolls late" the mo!ing owl lies round"

,ear marks the light and magniies the sound(

The busy !riest" detained by weightier care"

4eers his duty till the day o !rayer(

$nd" waiting long" the crowd retire distressed"

To think a !oor man#s bones should lie unblessed&



To a *ouseBY ROBERT BURNS

&n urnin up in Her %est with the )louh, %o!ember, *+-

Wee" sleeket" cowran" tim?rous beastie"

O" what a !anic?s in thy breastie0

Thou need na start awa sae hasty"

Wi? bickerin brattle0

2 wad be laith to rin an? chase thee

Wi? murd?ring !attle0

2?m truly sorry *an?s dominion.as broken 'ature?s social union"

$n? /ustiies that ill o!inion"

Which makes thee startle"

$t me" thy !oor" earth)born com!anion"

$n? ellow)mortal0

2 doubt na" whyles" but thou may thie%e(

What then3 !oor beastie" thou maun li%e0

$ daimen)icker in a thra%e

?S a sma? re6uest-

2?ll get a blessin wi? the la%e"

$n? ne%er miss ?t0

Thy wee)bit housie" too" in ruin0

2t?s silly wa?s the win?s are strewin0

$n? naething" now" to big a new ane"

O? oggage green0

$n? bleak 4ecember?s winds ensuin"

Baith snell an? keen0

Thou saw the ields laid bare an? waste"

$n? weary Winter comin ast"

$n? co+ie here" beneath the blast"

Thou thought to dwell"

Till crash0 the cruel coulter !ast

Out thro? thy cell&

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/robert-burns





That wee)bit hea! o? lea%es an? stibble

.as cost thee monie a weary nibble0

'ow thou?s turn?d out" or a? thy trouble"

But house or hald"

To thole the Winter?s sleety dribble"

$n? cranreuch cauld0

But *ousie" thou art no thy)lane"

2n !ro%ing oresight may be %ain-

The best laid schemes o? *ice an? *en

Gang at agley"

$n? lea?e us nought but grie an? !ain"

,or !romis?d /oy0

Still" thou art blest" com!ar?d wi? me0

The !resent only toucheth thee-

But Och0 2 backward cast my e?e"

On !ros!ects drear0

$n? orward tho? 2 canna see"

2 guess an? ear0



To $ 1ouse

On Seeing One On $ 1ady#s Bonnet" $t Church

@A

Ty!e- Poem

.a0 whaur ye gaun" ye crowlin erlie3

Your im!udence !rotects you sairly(

2 canna say but ye strunt rarely"

Owre gau+e and lace(

Tho#" aith0 2 ear ye dine but s!arely

On sic a !lace&

Ye ugly" cree!in" blastit wonner"

4etested" shunn#d by saunt an# sinner"

.ow daur ye set your it u!on her)

Sae ine a lady3

Gae somewhere else and seek your dinner

On some !oor body&

Swith0 in some beggar#s haet s6uattle(

There ye may cree!" and s!rawl" and s!rattle"

Wi# ither kindred" /um!ing cattle"

2n shoals and nations(

Whaur horn nor bane ne#er daur unsettle

Your thick !lantations&



'ow haud you there" ye#re out o# sight"

Below the att#rels" snug and tight(

'a" aith ye yet0 ye#ll no be right"

Till ye#%e got on it)

The %erra ta!most" tow#rin height

O# *iss# bonnet&

*y sooth0 right bauld ye set your nose out"

$s !lum! an# grey as ony groset-

O or some rank" mercurial ro+et"

Or ell" red smeddum"

2#d gie you sic a hearty dose o#t"

Wad dress your droddum&

2 wad na been sur!ris#d to s!y

You on an auld wie#s lainen toy(

Or aiblins some bit dubbie boy"

On#s wyliecoat(

But *iss# ine 1unardi0 ye0

.ow daur ye do#t3

O =eany" dinna toss your head"

$n# set your beauties a# abread0

Ye little ken what cursed s!eed

The blastie#s makin-

Thae winks an# inger)ends" 2 dread"

$re notice takin&



O wad some Power the gitie gie us

To see oursels as ithers see us0

2t wad rae mony a blunder ree us"

$n# oolish notion-

What airs in dress an# gait wad lea#e us"

$n# e%#n de%otion0



Robert Burns

*y .eart#s in the .ighlands

,arewell to the .ighlands" arewell to the 'orth"

The birth)!lace o ;alour" the country o Worth(

Where%er 2 wander" where%er 2 ro%e"

The hills o the .ighlands or e%er 2 lo%e&

*y heart#s in the .ighlands" my heart is not here(

*y heart#s in the .ighlands a)chasing the deer(

$)chasing the wild)deer" and ollowing the roe"

*y heart#s in the .ighlands where%er 2 go&

,arewell to the mountains high co%ered with snow(

,arewell to the straths and green %alleys below(

,arewell to the orests and wild)hanging woods(

,arewell to the torrents and loud)!ouring loods&

*y heart#s in the .ighlands" my heart is not here(

*y heart#s in the .ighlands a)chasing the deer(

$)chasing the wild)deer" and ollowing the roe"

*y heart#s in the .ighlands where%er 2 go&



The TygerBY WILLIAM BLAKE

Tyger Tyger" burning bright"

2n the orests o the night(

What immortal hand or eye"

Could rame thy earul symmetry3

2n what distant dee!s or skies&

Burnt the ire o thine eyes3

On what wings dare he as!ire3

What the hand" dare sei+e the ire3

$nd what shoulder" D what art"

Could twist the sinews o thy heart3

$nd when thy heart began to beat"

What dread hand3 D what dread eet3

What the hammer3 what the chain"

2n what urnace was thy brain3

What the an%il3 what dread gras!"

4are its deadly terrors clas!0

When the stars threw down their s!ears

$nd water#d hea%en with their tears-

4id he smile his work to see3

4id he who made the 1amb make thee3

Tyger Tyger burning bright"

2n the orests o the night-

What immortal hand or eye"

4are rame thy earul symmetry3

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/william-blake




The 1ambBY WILLIAM BLAKE

1ittle 1amb who made thee

4ost thou know who made thee

Ga%e thee lie D bid thee eed&

By the stream D o#er the mead(

Ga%e thee clothing o delight"

Sotest clothing wooly bright(

Ga%e thee such a tender %oice"

*aking all the %ales re/oice0

1ittle 1amb who made thee

4ost thou know who made thee

1ittle 1amb 2#ll tell thee"

1ittle 1amb 2#ll tell thee0

.e is called by thy name"

,or he calls himsel a 1amb-

.e is meek D he is mild"

.e became a little child-

2 a child D thou a lamb"

We are called by his name&

1ittle 1amb God bless thee&

1ittle 1amb God bless thee&






The Chimney Swee!er- When my mother died 2 was %ery youngBY WILLIAM BLAKE

When my mother died 2 was %ery young"

$nd my ather sold me while yet my tongue

Could scarcely cry 8 #wee!0 #wee!0 #wee!0 #wee!08

So your chimneys 2 swee! D in soot 2 slee!&

There#s little Tom 4acre" who cried when his head

That curled like a lamb#s back" was sha%ed" so 2 said"

8.ush" Tom0 ne%er mind it" or when your head#s bare"

You know that the soot cannot s!oil your white hair&8

$nd so he was 6uiet" D that %ery night"

$s Tom was a)slee!ing he had such a sight0

That thousands o swee!ers" 4ick" =oe" 'ed" D =ack"

Were all o them locked u! in coins o black(

$nd by came an $ngel who had a bright key"

$nd he o!ened the coins D set them all ree(

Then down a green !lain" lea!ing" laughing they run"

$nd wash in a ri%er and shine in the Sun&

Then naked D white" all their bags let behind"

They rise u!on clouds" and s!ort in the wind&

$nd the $ngel told Tom" i he#d be a good boy"

.e#d ha%e God or his ather D ne%er want /oy&

$nd so Tom awoke( and we rose in the dark

$nd got with our bags D our brushes to work&

Though the morning was cold" Tom was ha!!y D warm(

So i all do their duty" they need not ear harm&





2nant =oy BY WILLIAM BLAKE

2 ha%e no name

2 am but two days old&<

What shall 2 call thee3

2 ha!!y am

=oy is my name"<

Sweet /oy beall thee0

Pretty /oy0

Sweet /oy but two days old"

Sweet /oy 2 call thee(

Thou dost smile&

2 sing the while

Sweet /oy beall thee&

2nant Sorrow BY WILLIAM BLAKE

*y mother groand0 my ather we!t&

2nto the dangerous world 2 lea!t-

.el!less" naked" !i!ing loud(

1ike a iend hid in a cloud&

Struggling in my athers hands-

Stri%ing against my swaddling bands-

Bound and weary 2 thought best

To sulk u!on my mothers breast&

A little girl lost

By William Blake

Children of the ftre !"e#

Re!din" thi$ indi"n!nt %!"e#

Kno& th!t in ! for'er ti'e

Lo(e# $&eet lo(e# &!$ tho"ht ! )ri'e*

In the !"e of "old#







+ree fro' &inter,$ )old#

Yoth !nd '!iden -ri"ht#

To the hol. li"ht#

N!/ed in the $nn. -e!'$ deli"ht*

On)e ! .othfl %!ir#

+illed &ith $ofte$t )!re#

Met in "!rden -ri"ht

Where the hol. li"ht

H!d 0$t re'o(ed the )rt!in$ of the ni"ht*

Then# in ri$in" d!.#

On the "r!$$ the. %l!.1

2!rent$ &ere !f!r#

Str!n"er$ )!'e not ne!r#

And the '!iden $oon for"ot her fe!r*

Tired &ith /i$$e$ $&eet#

The. !"ree to 'eet

When the $ilent $lee%

W!(e$ o,er he!(en,$ dee%#

And the &e!r. tired &!nderer$ &ee%*

To her f!ther &hite

C!'e the '!iden -ri"ht1

Bt hi$ lo(in" loo/#

Li/e the hol. -oo/

All her tender li'-$ &ith terror $hoo/*

,On!# %!le !nd &e!/#

To th. f!ther $%e!/3

Oh the tre'-lin" fe!r3

Oh the di$'!l )!re

Th!t $h!/e$ the -lo$$o'$ of '. ho!r. h!ir3,

The 1ittle Black Boy

BY WILLIAM BLAKE

*y mother bore me in the southern wild"






$nd 2 am black" but O0 my soul is white(

White as an angel is the English child-

But 2 am black as i berea%#d o light&

*y mother taught me underneath a tree

$nd sitting down beore the heat o day"

She took me on her la! and kissed me"

$nd !ointing to the east began to say&

1ook on the rising sun- there God does li%e

$nd gi%es his light" and gi%es his heat away&

$nd lowers and trees and beasts and men recei%e

Comort in morning /oy in the noonday&

$nd we are !ut on earth a little s!ace"

That we may learn to bear the beams o lo%e"

$nd these black bodies and this sun)burnt ace

2s but a cloud" and like a shady gro%e&

,or when our souls ha%e learn#d the heat to bear

The cloud will %anish we shall hear his %oice&

Saying- come out rom the gro%e my lo%e D care"

$nd round my golden tent like lambs re/oice&

Thus did my mother say and kissed me"

$nd thus 2 say to little English boy&

When 2 rom black and he rom white cloud ree"



$nd round the tent o God like lambs we /oy-

2ll shade him rom the heat till he can bear"

To lean in /oy u!on our athers knee&

$nd then 2#ll stand and stroke his sil%er hair"

$nd be like him and he will then lo%e me&

1ondon

BY WILLIAM BLAKE

2 wander thro# each charter#d street"

'ear where the charter#d Thames does low&

$nd mark in e%ery ace 2 meet

*arks o weakness" marks o woe&

2n e%ery cry o e%ery *an"

2n e%ery 2nants cry o ear"

2n e%ery %oice- in e%ery ban"

The mind)org#d manacles 2 hear

.ow the Chimney)swee!ers cry

E%ery blackning Church a!!alls"

$nd the ha!less Soldiers sigh

Runs in blood down Palace walls

But most thro# midnight streets 2 hear

.ow the youthul .arlots curse






Blasts the new)born 2nants tear

$nd blights with !lagues the *arriage hearse

The Chimney Swee!er- $ little black thing among the snow

BY WILLIAM BLAKE

$ little black thing among the snow"

Crying 8wee!0 #wee!08 in notes o woe0

8Where are thy ather and mother3 say38

8They are both gone u! to the church to !ray&

Because 2 was ha!!y u!on the heath"

$nd smil#d among the winter#s snow"

They clothed me in the clothes o death"

$nd taught me to sing the notes o woe&

$nd because 2 am ha!!y and dance and sing"

They think they ha%e done me no in/ury"

$nd are gone to !raise God and his Priest and 5ing"

Who make u! a hea%en o our misery&8






1ucy Poems

William Wordsworth

She dwelt among the untrodden ways

Beside the s!rings o 4o%e"

$ *aid whom there were none to !raise

$nd %ery ew to lo%e-

$ %iolet by a mossy stone

.al hidden rom the eye0

,air as a star" when only one

2s shining in the sky&

She li%ed unknown" and ew could know

When 1ucy ceased to be(

But she is in her gra%e" and oh"

The dierence to me0

Three years she grew in sun and shower;

Then 'ature said" #$ lo%elier lower

On earth was ne%er sown(

This child 2 to mysel will take(

She shall be mine" and 2 will make

$ lady o my own&



#*ysel will to my darling be

Both law and im!ulse( and with me

The girl" in rock and !lain"

2n earth and hea%en" in glade and bower"

Shall eel an o%erseeing !ower

To kindle or restrain&

#She shall be s!orti%e as the awn

That wild with glee across the lawn

Or u! the mountain s!rings(

$nd hers shall be the breathing balm"

$nd hers the silence and the calm

O mute insensate things&

#The loating clouds their state shall lend

To her( or her the willow bend(

'or shall she ail to see

E%en in the motions o the storm

Grace that shall mould the maiden#s orm

By silent sym!athy&

#The stars o midnight shall be dear

To her( and she shall lean her ear

2n many a secret !lace

Where ri%ulets dance their wayward round"

$nd beauty born o murmuring sound

Shall !ass into her ace&

#$nd %ital eelings o delight



Shall rear her orm to stately height"

.er %irgin bosom swell(

Such thoughts to 1ucy 2 will gi%e

While she and 2 together li%e

.ere in this ha!!y dell&#

Thus 'ature s!ake )) The work was done ))

.ow soon my 1ucy#s race was run0

She died" and let to me

This heath" this calm and 6uiet scene(

The memory o what has been"

$nd ne%er more will be&

A slumber did my spirit seal;

2 had no human ears-

She seem#d a thing that could not eel

The touch o earthly years&

'o motion has she now" no orce(

She neither hears nor sees(

Roll#d round in earth#s diurnal course"

With rocks" and stones" and trees&



Ode- 2ntimations o 2mmortality rom Recollections o Early Childhood

BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

he child is father of the man

And / could wish my days to be

0ound each to each by natural piety.

#1ordsworth, 2My Heart Leaps 3p2$

There was a time when meadow" gro%e" and stream"

The earth" and e%ery common sight"

To me did seem

$!!arelled in celestial light"

The glory and the reshness o a dream&

2t is not now as it hath been o yore(<

Turn wheresoe#er 2 may"

By night or day&

The things which 2 ha%e seen 2 now can see no more&

The Rainbow comes and goes"

$nd lo%ely is the Rose"

The *oon doth with delight

1ook round her when the hea%ens are bare"

Waters on a starry night

$re beautiul and air(

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/william-wordsworth





The sunshine is a glorious birth(

But yet 2 know" where#er 2 go"

That there hath !ast away a glory rom the earth&

'ow" while the birds thus sing a /oyous song"

$nd while the young lambs bound

$s to the tabor#s sound"

To me alone there came a thought o grie-

$ timely utterance ga%e that thought relie"

$nd 2 again am strong-

The cataracts blow their trum!ets rom the stee!(

'o more shall grie o mine the season wrong(

2 hear the Echoes through the mountains throng"

The Winds come to me rom the ields o slee!"

$nd all the earth is gay(

1and and sea

Gi%e themsel%es u! to /ollity"

$nd with the heart o *ay

4oth e%ery Beast kee! holiday(<

Thou Child o =oy"

Shout round me" let me hear thy shouts" thou ha!!y She!herd)boy&

Ye blessd creatures" 2 ha%e heard the call

Ye to each other make( 2 see

The hea%ens laugh with you in your /ubilee(

*y heart is at your esti%al"

*y head hath its coronal"



The ulness o your bliss" 2 eel<2 eel it all&

Oh e%il day0 i 2 were sullen

While Earth hersel is adorning"

This sweet *ay)morning"

$nd the Children are culling

On e%ery side"

2n a thousand %alleys ar and wide"

,resh lowers( while the sun shines warm"

$nd the Babe lea!s u! on his *other#s arm-<

2 hear" 2 hear" with /oy 2 hear0

<But there#s a Tree" o many" one"

$ single ield which 2 ha%e looked u!on"

Both o them s!eak o something that is gone(

The Pansy at my eet

4oth the same tale re!eat-

Whither is led the %isionary gleam3

Where is it now" the glory and the dream3

Our birth is but a slee! and a orgetting-

The Soul that rises with us" our lie#s Star"

.ath had elsewhere its setting"

$nd cometh rom aar-

'ot in entire orgetulness"

$nd not in utter nakedness"

But trailing clouds o glory do we come

,rom God" who is our home-

.ea%en lies about us in our inancy0



Shades o the !rison)house begin to close

>!on the growing Boy"

But he beholds the light" and whence it lows"

.e sees it in his /oy(

The Youth" who daily arther rom the east

*ust tra%el" still is 'ature#s Priest"

$nd by the %ision s!lendid

2s on his way attended(

$t length the *an !ercei%es it die away"

$nd ade into the light o common day&

Earth ills her la! with !leasures o her own(

Yearnings she hath in her own natural kind"

$nd" e%en with something o a *other#s mind"

$nd no unworthy aim"

The homely 'urse doth all she can

To make her ,oster)child" her 2nmate *an"

,orget the glories he hath known"

$nd that im!erial !alace whence he came&

Behold the Child among his new)born blisses"

$ si7 years# 4arling o a !igmy si+e0

See" where #mid work o his own hand he lies"

,retted by sallies o his mother#s kisses"

With light u!on him rom his ather#s eyes0

See" at his eet" some little !lan or chart"

Some ragment rom his dream o human lie"



Sha!ed by himsel with newly)learnFed art

$ wedding or a esti%al"

$ mourning or a uneral(

$nd this hath now his heart"

$nd unto this he rames his song-

Then will he it his tongue

To dialogues o business" lo%e" or strie(

But it will not be long

Ere this be thrown aside"

$nd with new /oy and !ride

The little $ctor cons another !art(

,illing rom time to time his 8humorous stage8

With all the Persons" down to !alsied $ge"

That 1ie brings with her in her e6ui!age(

$s i his whole %ocation

Were endless imitation&

Thou" whose e7terior semblance doth belie

Thy Soul#s immensity(

Thou best Philoso!her" who yet dost kee!

Thy heritage" thou Eye among the blind"

That" dea and silent" read#st the eternal dee!"

.aunted or e%er by the eternal mind"<

*ighty Pro!het0 Seer blest0

On whom those truths do rest"

Which we are toiling all our li%es to ind"

2n darkness lost" the darkness o the gra%e(



Thou" o%er whom thy 2mmortality

Broods like the 4ay" a *aster o#er a Sla%e"

$ Presence which is not to be !ut by(

Thou little Child" yet glorious in the might

O hea%en)born reedom on thy being#s height"

Why with such earnest !ains dost thou !ro%oke

The years to bring the ine%itable yoke"

Thus blindly with thy blessedness at strie3

,ull soon thy Soul shall ha%e her earthly reight"

$nd custom lie u!on thee with a weight"

.ea%y as rost" and dee! almost as lie0

O /oy0 that in our embers

2s something that doth li%e"

That 'ature yet remembers

What was so ugiti%e0

The thought o our !ast years in me doth breed

Per!etual benediction- not indeed

,or that which is most worthy to be blest(

4elight and liberty" the sim!le creed

O Childhood" whether busy or at rest"

With new)ledged ho!e still luttering in his breast-<

'ot or these 2 raise

The song o thanks and !raise

But or those obstinate 6uestionings

O sense and outward things"

,allings rom us" %anishings(



Blank misgi%ings o a Creature

*o%ing about in worlds not realised"

.igh instincts beore which our mortal 'ature

4id tremble like a guilty thing sur!rised-

But or those irst aections"

Those shadowy recollections"

Which" be they what they may

$re yet the ountain)light o all our day"

$re yet a master)light o all our seeing(

>!hold us" cherish" and ha%e !ower to make

Our noisy years seem moments in the being

O the eternal Silence- truths that wake"

To !erish ne%er(

Which neither listlessness" nor mad endea%our"

'or *an nor Boy"

'or all that is at enmity with /oy"

Can utterly abolish or destroy0

.ence in a season o calm weather

Though inland ar we be"

Our Souls ha%e sight o that immortal sea

Which brought us hither"

Can in a moment tra%el thither"

$nd see the Children s!ort u!on the shore"

$nd hear the mighty waters rolling e%ermore&

Then sing" ye Birds" sing" sing a /oyous song0

$nd let the young 1ambs bound



$s to the tabor#s sound0

We in thought will /oin your throng"

Ye that !i!e and ye that !lay"

Ye that through your hearts to)day

,eel the gladness o the *ay0

What though the radiance which was once so bright

Be now or e%er taken rom my sight"

Though nothing can bring back the hour

O s!lendour in the grass" o glory in the lower(

We will grie%e not" rather ind

Strength in what remains behind(

2n the !rimal sym!athy

Which ha%ing been must e%er be(

2n the soothing thoughts that s!ring

Out o human suering(

2n the aith that looks through death"

2n years that bring the !hiloso!hic mind&

$nd O" ye ,ountains" *eadows" .ills" and Gro%es"

,orebode not any se%ering o our lo%es0

Yet in my heart o hearts 2 eel your might(

2 only ha%e relin6uished one delight

To li%e beneath your more habitual sway&

2 lo%e the Brooks which down their channels ret"

E%en more than when 2 tri!!ed lightly as they(

The innocent brightness o a new)born 4ay

2s lo%ely yet(

The Clouds that gather round the setting sun



4o take a sober colouring rom an eye

That hath ke!t watch o#er man#s mortality(

$nother race hath been" and other !alms are won&

Thanks to the human heart by which we li%e"

Thanks to its tenderness" its /oys" and ears"

To me the meanest lower that blows can gi%e

Thoughts that do oten lie too dee! or tears&

1ines Com!osed a ,ew *iles abo%e Tintern $bbey" On Re%isiting the

Banks o the Wye during a Tour& =uly @H" @AI

BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

,i%e years ha%e !ast( i%e summers" with the length

O i%e long winters0 and again 2 hear

These waters" rolling rom their mountain)s!rings

With a sot inland murmur&<Once again

4o 2 behold these stee! and loty clis"

That on a wild secluded scene im!ress

Thoughts o more dee! seclusion( and connect

The landsca!e with the 6uiet o the sky&

The day is come when 2 again re!ose

.ere" under this dark sycamore" and %iew

These !lots o cottage)ground" these orchard)tuts"

Which at this season" with their unri!e ruits"

$re clad in one green hue" and lose themsel%es

#*id gro%es and co!ses& Once again 2 see

These hedge)rows" hardly hedge)rows" little lines





O s!orti%e wood run wild- these !astoral arms"

Green to the %ery door( and wreaths o smoke

Sent u!" in silence" rom among the trees0

With some uncertain notice" as might seem

O %agrant dwellers in the houseless woods"

Or o some .ermit#s ca%e" where by his ire

The .ermit sits alone&

These beauteous orms"

Through a long absence" ha%e not been to me

$s is a landsca!e to a blind man#s eye-

But ot" in lonely rooms" and #mid the din

O towns and cities" 2 ha%e owed to them"

2n hours o weariness" sensations sweet"

,elt in the blood" and elt along the heart(

$nd !assing e%en into my !urer mind

With tran6uil restoration-<eelings too

O unremembered !leasure- such" !erha!s"

$s ha%e no slight or tri%ial inluence

On that best !ortion o a good man#s lie"

.is little" nameless" unremembered" acts

O kindness and o lo%e& 'or less" 2 trust"

To them 2 may ha%e owed another git"

O as!ect more sublime( that blessed mood"

2n which the burthen o the mystery"

2n which the hea%y and the weary weight

O all this unintelligible world"



2s lightened-<that serene and blessed mood"

2n which the aections gently lead us on"<

>ntil" the breath o this cor!oreal rame

$nd e%en the motion o our human blood

$lmost sus!ended" we are laid aslee!

2n body" and become a li%ing soul-

While with an eye made 6uiet by the !ower

O harmony" and the dee! !ower o /oy"

We see into the lie o things&

2 this

Be but a %ain belie" yet" oh0 how ot<

2n darkness and amid the many sha!es

O /oyless daylight( when the retul stir

>n!roitable" and the e%er o the world"

.a%e hung u!on the beatings o my heart<

.ow ot" in s!irit" ha%e 2 turned to thee"

O syl%an Wye0 thou wanderer thro# the woods"

.ow oten has my s!irit turned to thee0

$nd now" with gleams o hal)e7tinguished thought"

With many recognitions dim and aint"

$nd somewhat o a sad !er!le7ity"

The !icture o the mind re%i%es again-

While here 2 stand" not only with the sense

O !resent !leasure" but with !leasing thoughts

That in this moment there is lie and ood



,or uture years& $nd so 2 dare to ho!e"

Though changed" no doubt" rom what 2 was when irst

2 came among these hills( when like a roe

2 bounded o#er the mountains" by the sides

O the dee! ri%ers" and the lonely streams"

Where%er nature led- more like a man

,lying rom something that he dreads" than one

Who sought the thing he lo%ed& ,or nature then

9The coarser !leasures o my boyish days

$nd their glad animal mo%ements all gone by:

To me was all in all&<2 cannot !aint

What then 2 was& The sounding cataract

.aunted me like a !assion- the tall rock"

The mountain" and the dee! and gloomy wood"

Their colours and their orms" were then to me

$n a!!etite( a eeling and a lo%e"

That had no need o a remoter charm"

By thought su!!lied" not any interest

>nborrowed rom the eye&<That time is !ast"

$nd all its aching /oys are now no more"

$nd all its di++y ra!tures& 'ot or this

,aint 2" nor mourn nor murmur( other gits

.a%e ollowed( or such loss" 2 would belie%e"

$bundant recom!ense& ,or 2 ha%e learned

To look on nature" not as in the hour

O thoughtless youth( but hearing otentimes

The still sad music o humanity"



'or harsh nor grating" though o am!le !ower

To chasten and subdue&<$nd 2 ha%e elt

$ !resence that disturbs me with the /oy

O ele%ated thoughts( a sense sublime

O something ar more dee!ly interused"

Whose dwelling is the light o setting suns"

$nd the round ocean and the li%ing air"

$nd the blue sky" and in the mind o man-

$ motion and a s!irit" that im!els

$ll thinking things" all ob/ects o all thought"

$nd rolls through all things& Thereore am 2 still

$ lo%er o the meadows and the woods

$nd mountains( and o all that we behold

,rom this green earth( o all the mighty world

O eye" and ear"<both what they hal create"

$nd what !ercei%e( well !leased to recognise

2n nature and the language o the sense

The anchor o my !urest thoughts" the nurse"

The guide" the guardian o my heart" and soul

O all my moral being&

'or !erchance"

2 2 were not thus taught" should 2 the more

Suer my genial s!irits to decay-

,or thou art with me here u!on the banks

O this air ri%er( thou my dearest ,riend"

*y dear" dear ,riend( and in thy %oice 2 catch



The language o my ormer heart" and read

*y ormer !leasures in the shooting lights

O thy wild eyes& Oh0 yet a little while

*ay 2 behold in thee what 2 was once"

*y dear" dear Sister0 and this !rayer 2 make"

5nowing that 'ature ne%er did betray

The heart that lo%ed her( #tis her !ri%ilege"

Through all the years o this our lie" to lead

,rom /oy to /oy- or she can so inorm

The mind that is within us" so im!ress

With 6uietness and beauty" and so eed

With loty thoughts" that neither e%il tongues"

Rash /udgments" nor the sneers o selish men"

'or greetings where no kindness is" nor all

The dreary intercourse o daily lie"

Shall e#er !re%ail against us" or disturb

Our cheerul aith" that all which we behold

2s ull o blessings& Thereore let the moon

Shine on thee in thy solitary walk(

$nd let the misty mountain)winds be ree

To blow against thee- and" in ater years"

When these wild ecstasies shall be matured

2nto a sober !leasure( when thy mind

Shall be a mansion or all lo%ely orms"

Thy memory be as a dwelling)!lace

,or all sweet sounds and harmonies( oh0 then"

2 solitude" or ear" or !ain" or grie"



Should be thy !ortion" with what healing thoughts

O tender /oy wilt thou remember me"

$nd these my e7hortations0 'or" !erchance<

2 2 should be where 2 no more can hear

Thy %oice" nor catch rom thy wild eyes these gleams

O !ast e7istence<wilt thou then orget

That on the banks o this delightul stream

We stood together( and that 2" so long

$ worshi!!er o 'ature" hither came

>nwearied in that ser%ice- rather say

With warmer lo%e<oh0 with ar dee!er +eal

O holier lo%e& 'or wilt thou then orget"

That ater many wanderings" many years

O absence" these stee! woods and loty clis"

$nd this green !astoral landsca!e" were to me

*ore dear" both or themsel%es and or thy sake0

The Solitary Rea!erBY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Behold her" single in the ield"

Yon solitary .ighland 1ass0

Rea!ing and singing by hersel(

Sto! here" or gently !ass0

$lone she cuts and binds the grain"

$nd sings a melancholy strain(

O listen0 or the ;ale !roound

2s o%erlowing with the sound&

'o 'ightingale did e%er chaunt

*ore welcome notes to weary bands

O tra%ellers in some shady haunt"

$mong $rabian sands-





$ %oice so thrilling ne#er was heard

2n s!ring)time rom the Cuckoo)bird"

Breaking the silence o the seas

$mong the arthest .ebrides&

Will no one tell me what she sings3<

Perha!s the !lainti%e numbers low

,or old" unha!!y" ar)o things"

$nd battles long ago-

Or is it some more humble lay"

,amiliar matter o to)day3

Some natural sorrow" loss" or !ain"

That has been" and may be again3

Whate#er the theme" the *aiden sang

$s i her song could ha%e no ending(

2 saw her singing at her work"

$nd o#er the sickle bending(<

2 listened" motionless and still(

$nd" as 2 mounted u! the hill"

The music in my heart 2 bore"1ong ater it was heard no more&

2 Wandered 1onely as a CloudBY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

2 wandered lonely as a cloud

That loats on high o#er %ales and hills"

When all at once 2 saw a crowd"

$ host" o golden daodils(

Beside the lake" beneath the trees"

,luttering and dancing in the bree+e&

Continuous as the stars that shine

$nd twinkle on the milky way"

They stretched in ne%er)ending line

$long the margin o a bay-





Ten thousand saw 2 at a glance"

Tossing their heads in s!rightly dance&

The wa%es beside them danced( but they

Out)did the s!arkling wa%es in glee-

$ !oet could not but be gay"

2n such a /ocund com!any-

2 ga+ed<and ga+ed<but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought-

,or ot" when on my couch 2 lie

2n %acant or in !ensi%e mood"

They lash u!on that inward eye

Which is the bliss o solitude(

$nd then my heart with !leasure ills"

$nd dances with the daodils&

5ubla 5hanBY SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE

&r, a !ision in a dream. A Frament.

2n Janadu did 5ubla 5han

$ stately !leasure)dome decree-

Where $l!h" the sacred ri%er" ran

Through ca%erns measureless to man

4own to a sunless sea&

So twice i%e miles o ertile ground

With walls and towers were girdled round(

$nd there were gardens bright with sinuous rills"

Where blossomed many an incense)bearing tree(

$nd here were orests ancient as the hills"

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/samuel-taylor-coleridge




Enolding sunny s!ots o greenery&

But oh0 that dee! romantic chasm which slanted

4own the green hill athwart a cedarn co%er0

$ sa%age !lace0 as holy and enchanted

$s e?er beneath a waning moon was haunted

By woman wailing or her demon)lo%er0

$nd rom this chasm" with ceaseless turmoil seething"

$s i this earth in ast thick !ants were breathing"

$ mighty ountain momently was orced-

$mid whose swit hal)intermitted burst

.uge ragments %aulted like rebounding hail"

Or chay grain beneath the thresher?s lail-

$nd mid these dancing rocks at once and e%er

2t lung u! momently the sacred ri%er&

,i%e miles meandering with a ma+y motion

Through wood and dale the sacred ri%er ran"

Then reached the ca%erns measureless to man"

$nd sank in tumult to a lieless ocean(

$nd ?mid this tumult 5ubla heard rom ar

$ncestral %oices !ro!hesying war0 The shadow o the dome o !leasure

,loated midway on the wa%es(

Where was heard the mingled measure

,rom the ountain and the ca%es&

2t was a miracle o rare de%ice"

$ sunny !leasure)dome with ca%es o ice0

$ damsel with a dulcimer

2n a %ision once 2 saw-

2t was an $byssinian maid

$nd on her dulcimer she !layed"

Singing o *ount $bora&

Could 2 re%i%e within me

.er sym!hony and song"

To such a dee! delight ?twould win me"

That with music loud and long"

2 would build that dome in air"



That sunny dome0 those ca%es o ice0

$nd all who heard should see them there"

$nd all should cry" Beware0 Beware0

.is lashing eyes" his loating hair0

Wea%e a circle round him thrice"

$nd close your eyes with holy dread

,or he on honey)dew hath ed"

$nd drunk the milk o Paradise&

The Rime o the $ncient *ariner 9te7t o @HK:

BY SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE

Arument

How a Ship ha!in passed the Line was dri!en by storms to the cold 4ountry towards the South )ole and

how from thence she made her course to the tropical Latitude of the (reat )acific &cean and of the strane

thins that befell and in what manner the Ancyent Marinere came back to his own 4ountry.

PART I

2t is an ancient *ariner"

$nd he sto!!eth one o three&

#By thy long grey beard and glittering eye"

'ow whereore sto!!#st thou me3

The Bridegroom#s doors are o!ened wide"

$nd 2 am ne7t o kin(






The guests are met" the east is set-

*ay#st hear the merry din&#

.e holds him with his skinny hand"

#There was a shi!"# 6uoth he&

#.old o0 unhand me" grey)beard loon0#

Etsoons his hand dro!t he&

.e holds him with his glittering eye<

The Wedding)Guest stood still"

$nd listens like a three years# child-

The *ariner hath his will&

The Wedding)Guest sat on a stone-

.e cannot choose but hear(

$nd thus s!ake on that ancient man"

The bright)eyed *ariner&

#The shi! was cheered" the harbour cleared"

*errily did we dro!

Below the kirk" below the hill"

Below the lighthouse to!&

The Sun came u! u!on the let"

Out o the sea came he0

$nd he shone bright" and on the right

Went down into the sea&



.igher and higher e%ery day"

Till o%er the mast at noon<#

The Wedding)Guest here beat his breast"

,or he heard the loud bassoon&

The bride hath !aced into the hall"

Red as a rose is she(

'odding their heads beore her goes

The merry minstrelsy&

The Wedding)Guest he beat his breast"

Yet he cannot choose but hear(

$nd thus s!ake on that ancient man"

The bright)eyed *ariner&

$nd now the STOR*)B1$ST came" and he

Was tyrannous and strong-

.e struck with his o#ertaking wings"

$nd chased us south along&

With slo!ing masts and di!!ing !row"

$s who !ursued with yell and blow

Still treads the shadow o his oe"

$nd orward bends his head"

The shi! dro%e ast" loud roared the blast"

$nd southward aye we led&



$nd now there came both mist and snow"

$nd it grew wondrous cold-

$nd ice" mast)high" came loating by"

$s green as emerald&

$nd through the drits the snowy clits

4id send a dismal sheen-

'or sha!es o men nor beasts we ken<

The ice was all between&

The ice was here" the ice was there"

The ice was all around-

2t cracked and growled" and roared and howled"

1ike noises in a swound0

$t length did cross an $lbatross"

Thorough the og it came(

$s i it had been a Christian soul"

We hailed it in God#s name&

2t ate the ood it ne#er had eat"

$nd round and round it lew&

The ice did s!lit with a thunder)it(

The helmsman steered us through0

$nd a good south wind s!rung u! behind(



The $lbatross did ollow"

$nd e%ery day" or ood or !lay"

Came to the mariner#s hollo0

2n mist or cloud" on mast or shroud"

2t !erched or %es!ers nine(

Whiles all the night" through og)smoke white"

Glimmered the white *oon)shine&#

#God sa%e thee" ancient *ariner0

,rom the iends" that !lague thee thus0<

Why look#st thou so3#<With my cross)bow

2 shot the $1B$TROSS&

PART II

The Sun now rose u!on the right-

Out o the sea came he"

Still hid in mist" and on the let

Went down into the sea&

$nd the good south wind still blew behind"

But no sweet bird did ollow"

'or any day or ood or !lay

Came to the mariner#s hollo0

$nd 2 had done a hellish thing"

$nd it would work #em woe-



,or all a%erred" 2 had killed the bird

That made the bree+e to blow&

$h wretch0 said they" the bird to slay"

That made the bree+e to blow0

'or dim nor red" like God#s own head"

The glorious Sun u!rist-

Then all a%erred" 2 had killed the bird

That brought the og and mist&

#Twas right" said they" such birds to slay"

That bring the og and mist&

The air bree+e blew" the white oam lew"

The urrow ollowed ree(

We were the irst that e%er burst

2nto that silent sea&

4own dro!t the bree+e" the sails dro!t down"

#Twas sad as sad could be(

$nd we did s!eak only to break

The silence o the sea0

$ll in a hot and co!!er sky"

The bloody Sun" at noon"

Right u! abo%e the mast did stand"

'o bigger than the *oon&



4ay ater day" day ater day"

We stuck" nor breath nor motion(

$s idle as a !ainted shi!

>!on a !ainted ocean&

Water" water" e%ery where"

$nd all the boards did shrink(

Water" water" e%ery where"

'or any dro! to drink&

The %ery dee! did rot- O Christ0

That e%er this should be0

Yea" slimy things did crawl with legs

>!on the slimy sea&

$bout" about" in reel and rout

The death)ires danced at night(

The water" like a witch#s oils"

Burnt green" and blue and white&

$nd some in dreams assurd were

O the S!irit that !lagued us so(

'ine athom dee! he had ollowed us

,rom the land o mist and snow&

$nd e%ery tongue" through utter drought"

Was withered at the root(



We could not s!eak" no more than i

We had been choked with soot&

$h0 well a)day0 what e%il looks

.ad 2 rom old and young0

2nstead o the cross" the $lbatross

$bout my neck was hung&

PART III

There !assed a weary time& Each throat

Was !arched" and gla+ed each eye&

$ weary time0 a weary time0

.ow gla+ed each weary eye"

When looking westward" 2 beheld

$ something in the sky&

$t irst it seemed a little s!eck"

$nd then it seemed a mist(

2t mo%ed and mo%ed" and took at last

$ certain sha!e" 2 wist&

$ s!eck" a mist" a sha!e" 2 wist0

$nd still it neared and neared-

$s i it dodged a water)s!rite"

2t !lunged and tacked and %eered&



With throats unslaked" with black li!s baked"

We could nor laugh nor wail(

Through utter drought all dumb we stood0

2 bit my arm" 2 sucked the blood"

$nd cried" $ sail0 a sail0

With throats unslaked" with black li!s baked"

$ga!e they heard me call-

Gramercy0 they or /oy did grin"

$nd all at once their breath drew in&

$s they were drinking all&

See0 see0 92 cried: she tacks no more0

.ither to work us weal(

Without a bree+e" without a tide"

She steadies with u!right keel0

The western wa%e was all a)lame&

The day was well nigh done0

$lmost u!on the western wa%e

Rested the broad bright Sun(

When that strange sha!e dro%e suddenly

Betwi7t us and the Sun&

$nd straight the Sun was lecked with bars"

9.ea%en#s *other send us grace0:

$s i through a dungeon)grate he !eered



With broad and burning ace&

$las0 9thought 2" and my heart beat loud:

.ow ast she nears and nears0

$re those her sails that glance in the Sun"

1ike restless gossameres3

$re those her ribs through which the Sun

4id !eer" as through a grate3

$nd is that Woman all her crew3

2s that a 4E$T.3 and are there two3

2s 4E$T. that woman#s mate3

Her li!s were red" her looks were ree"

.er locks were yellow as gold-

.er skin was as white as le!rosy"

The 'ight)mare 12,E)2')4E$T. was she"

Who thicks man#s blood with cold&

The naked hulk alongside came"

$nd the twain were casting dice(

#The game is done0 2#%e won0 2#%e won0#

Luoth she" and whistles thrice&

The Sun#s rim di!s( the stars rush out(

$t one stride comes the dark(

With ar)heard whis!er" o#er the sea"



O shot the s!ectre)bark&

We listened and looked sideways u!0

,ear at my heart" as at a cu!"

*y lie)blood seemed to si!0

The stars were dim" and thick the night"

The steersman#s ace by his lam! gleamed white(

,rom the sails the dew did dri!<

Till clomb abo%e the eastern bar

The hornd *oon" with one bright star

Within the nether ti!&

One ater one" by the star)dogged *oon"

Too 6uick or groan or sigh"

Each turned his ace with a ghastly !ang"

$nd cursed me with his eye&

,our times ity li%ing men"

9$nd 2 heard nor sigh nor groan:

With hea%y thum!" a lieless lum!"

They dro!!ed down one by one&

The souls did rom their bodies ly"<

They led to bliss or woe0

$nd e%ery soul" it !assed me by"

1ike the whi++ o my cross)bow0



PART IV

#2 ear thee" ancient *ariner0

2 ear thy skinny hand0

$nd thou art long" and lank" and brown"

$s is the ribbed sea)sand&

2 ear thee and thy glittering eye"

$nd thy skinny hand" so brown&#<

,ear not" ear not" thou Wedding)Guest0

This body dro!t not down&

$lone" alone" all" all alone"

$lone on a wide wide sea0

$nd ne%er a saint took !ity on

*y soul in agony&

The many men" so beautiul0

$nd they all dead did lie-

$nd a thousand thousand slimy things

1i%ed on( and so did 2&

2 looked u!on the rotting sea"

$nd drew my eyes away(

2 looked u!on the rotting deck"

$nd there the dead men lay&

2 looked to hea%en" and tried to !ray(



But or e%er a !rayer had gusht"

$ wicked whis!er came" and made

*y heart as dry as dust&

2 closed my lids" and ke!t them close"

$nd the balls like !ulses beat(

,or the sky and the sea" and the sea and the sky

1ay dead like a load on my weary eye"

$nd the dead were at my eet&

The cold sweat melted rom their limbs"

'or rot nor reek did they-

The look with which they looked on me

.ad ne%er !assed away&

$n or!han#s curse would drag to hell

$ s!irit rom on high(

But oh0 more horrible than that

2s the curse in a dead man#s eye0

Se%en days" se%en nights" 2 saw that curse"

$nd yet 2 could not die&

The mo%ing *oon went u! the sky"

$nd no where did abide-

Sotly she was going u!"

$nd a star or two beside<



.er beams bemocked the sultry main"

1ike $!ril hoar)rost s!read(

But where the shi!#s huge shadow lay"

The charmd water burnt alway

$ still and awul red&

Beyond the shadow o the shi!"

2 watched the water)snakes-

They mo%ed in tracks o shining white"

$nd when they reared" the elish light

,ell o in hoary lakes&

Within the shadow o the shi!

2 watched their rich attire-

Blue" glossy green" and %el%et black"

They coiled and swam( and e%ery track

Was a lash o golden ire&

O ha!!y li%ing things0 no tongue

Their beauty might declare-

$ s!ring o lo%e gushed rom my heart"

$nd 2 blessed them unaware-

Sure my kind saint took !ity on me"

$nd 2 blessed them unaware&

The sel)same moment 2 could !ray(

$nd rom my neck so ree



The $lbatross ell o" and sank

1ike lead into the sea&

PART V

Oh slee!0 it is a gentle thing"

Belo%ed rom !ole to !ole0

To *ary Lueen the !raise be gi%en0

She sent the gentle slee! rom .ea%en"

That slid into my soul&

The silly buckets on the deck"

That had so long remained"

2 dreamt that they were illed with dew(

$nd when 2 awoke" it rained&

*y li!s were wet" my throat was cold"

*y garments all were dank(

Sure 2 had drunken in my dreams"

$nd still my body drank&

2 mo%ed" and could not eel my limbs-

2 was so light<almost

2 thought that 2 had died in slee!"

$nd was a blessed ghost&

$nd soon 2 heard a roaring wind-

2t did not come anear(



But with its sound it shook the sails"

That were so thin and sere&

The u!!er air burst into lie0

$nd a hundred ire)lags sheen"

To and ro they were hurried about0

$nd to and ro" and in and out"

The wan stars danced between&

$nd the coming wind did roar more loud"

$nd the sails did sigh like sedge"

$nd the rain !oured down rom one black cloud(

The *oon was at its edge&

The thick black cloud was clet" and still

The *oon was at its side-

1ike waters shot rom some high crag"

The lightning ell with ne%er a /ag"

$ ri%er stee! and wide&

The loud wind ne%er reached the shi!"

Yet now the shi! mo%ed on0

Beneath the lightning and the *oon

The dead men ga%e a groan&

They groaned" they stirred" they all u!rose"

'or s!ake" nor mo%ed their eyes(



2t had been strange" e%en in a dream"

To ha%e seen those dead men rise&

The helmsman steered" the shi! mo%ed on(

Yet ne%er a bree+e u!)blew(

The mariners all #gan work the ro!es"

Where they were wont to do(

They raised their limbs like lieless tools<

We were a ghastly crew&

The body o my brother#s son

Stood by me" knee to knee-

The body and 2 !ulled at one ro!e"

But he said nought to me&

#2 ear thee" ancient *ariner0#

Be calm" thou Wedding)Guest0

#Twas not those souls that led in !ain"

Which to their corses came again"

But a troo! o s!irits blest-

,or when it dawned<they dro!!ed their arms"

$nd clustered round the mast(

Sweet sounds rose slowly through their mouths"

$nd rom their bodies !assed&

$round" around" lew each sweet sound"



Then darted to the Sun(

Slowly the sounds came back again"

'ow mi7ed" now one by one&

Sometimes a)dro!!ing rom the sky

2 heard the sky)lark sing(

Sometimes all little birds that are"

.ow they seemed to ill the sea and air

With their sweet /argoning0

$nd now #twas like all instruments"

'ow like a lonely lute(

$nd now it is an angel#s song"

That makes the hea%ens be mute&

2t ceased( yet still the sails made on

$ !leasant noise till noon"

$ noise like o a hidden brook

2n the leay month o =une"

That to the slee!ing woods all night

Singeth a 6uiet tune&

Till noon we 6uietly sailed on"

Yet ne%er a bree+e did breathe-

Slowly and smoothly went the shi!"

*o%ed onward rom beneath&



>nder the keel nine athom dee!"

,rom the land o mist and snow"

The s!irit slid- and it was he

That made the shi! to go&

The sails at noon let o their tune"

$nd the shi! stood still also&

The Sun" right u! abo%e the mast"

.ad i7ed her to the ocean-

But in a minute she #gan stir"

With a short uneasy motion<

Backwards and orwards hal her length

With a short uneasy motion&

Then like a !awing horse let go"

She made a sudden bound-

2t lung the blood into my head"

$nd 2 ell down in a swound&

.ow long in that same it 2 lay"

2 ha%e not to declare(

But ere my li%ing lie returned"

2 heard and in my soul discerned

Two %oices in the air&

#2s it he3# 6uoth one" #2s this the man3

By him who died on cross"



With his cruel bow he laid ull low

The harmless $lbatross&

The s!irit who bideth by himsel

2n the land o mist and snow"

.e lo%ed the bird that lo%ed the man

Who shot him with his bow&#

The other was a soter %oice"

$s sot as honey)dew-

Luoth he" #The man hath !enance done"

$nd !enance more will do&#

PART VI

First 5oice

#But tell me" tell me0 s!eak again"

Thy sot res!onse renewing<

What makes that shi! dri%e on so ast3

What is the ocean doing3#

Second 5oice

Still as a sla%e beore his lord"

The ocean hath no blast(

.is great bright eye most silently

>! to the *oon is cast<



2 he may know which way to go(

,or she guides him smooth or grim&

See" brother" see0 how graciously

She looketh down on him&#

First 5oice

#But why dri%es on that shi! so ast"

Without or wa%e or wind3#

Second 5oice

#The air is cut away beore"

$nd closes rom behind&

,ly" brother" ly0 more high" more high0

Or we shall be belated-

,or slow and slow that shi! will go"

When the *ariner#s trance is abated&#

2 woke" and we were sailing on

$s in a gentle weather-

#Twas night" calm night" the moon was high(

The dead men stood together&

$ll stood together on the deck"

,or a charnel)dungeon itter-

$ll i7ed on me their stony eyes"

That in the *oon did glitter&



The !ang" the curse" with which they died"

.ad ne%er !assed away-

2 could not draw my eyes rom theirs"

'or turn them u! to !ray&

$nd now this s!ell was sna!t- once more

2 %iewed the ocean green"

$nd looked ar orth" yet little saw

O what had else been seen<

1ike one" that on a lonesome road

4oth walk in ear and dread"

$nd ha%ing once turned round walks on"

$nd turns no more his head(

Because he knows" a rightul iend

4oth close behind him tread&

But soon there breathed a wind on me"

'or sound nor motion made-

2ts !ath was not u!on the sea"

2n ri!!le or in shade&

2t raised my hair" it anned my cheek

1ike a meadow)gale o s!ring<

2t mingled strangely with my ears"

Yet it elt like a welcoming&



Switly" switly lew the shi!"

Yet she sailed sotly too-

Sweetly" sweetly blew the bree+e<

On me alone it blew&

Oh0 dream o /oy0 is this indeed

The light)house to! 2 see3

2s this the hill3 is this the kirk3

2s this mine own countree3

We drited o#er the harbour)bar"

$nd 2 with sobs did !ray<

O let me be awake" my God0

Or let me slee! alway&

The harbour)bay was clear as glass"

So smoothly it was strewn0

$nd on the bay the moonlight lay"

$nd the shadow o the *oon&

The rock shone bright" the kirk no less"

That stands abo%e the rock-

The moonlight stee!ed in silentness

The steady weathercock&

$nd the bay was white with silent light"



Till rising rom the same"

,ull many sha!es" that shadows were"

2n crimson colours came&

$ little distance rom the !row

Those crimson shadows were-

2 turned my eyes u!on the deck<

Oh" Christ0 what saw 2 there0

Each corse lay lat" lieless and lat"

$nd" by the holy rood0

$ man all light" a sera!h)man"

On e%ery corse there stood&

This sera!h)band" each wa%ed his hand-

2t was a hea%enly sight0

They stood as signals to the land"

Each one a lo%ely light(

This sera!h)band" each wa%ed his hand"

'o %oice did they im!art<

'o %oice( but oh0 the silence sank

1ike music on my heart&

But soon 2 heard the dash o oars"

2 heard the Pilot#s cheer(

*y head was turned !erorce away



$nd 2 saw a boat a!!ear&

The Pilot and the Pilot#s boy"

2 heard them coming ast-

4ear 1ord in .ea%en0 it was a /oy

The dead men could not blast&

2 saw a third<2 heard his %oice-

2t is the .ermit good0

.e singeth loud his godly hymns

That he makes in the wood&

.e#ll shrie%e my soul" he#ll wash away

The $lbatross#s blood&

PART VII

This .ermit good li%es in that wood

Which slo!es down to the sea&

.ow loudly his sweet %oice he rears0

.e lo%es to talk with marineres

That come rom a ar countree&

.e kneels at morn" and noon" and e%e<

.e hath a cushion !lum!-

2t is the moss that wholly hides

The rotted old oak)stum!&

The ski)boat neared- 2 heard them talk"



#Why" this is strange" 2 trow0

Where are those lights so many and air"

That signal made but now3#

#Strange" by my aith0# the .ermit said<

#$nd they answered not our cheer0

The !lanks looked war!ed0 and see those sails"

.ow thin they are and sere0

2 ne%er saw aught like to them"

>nless !erchance it were

Brown skeletons o lea%es that lag

*y orest)brook along(

When the i%y)tod is hea%y with snow"

$nd the owlet whoo!s to the wol below"

That eats the she)wol#s young&#

#4ear 1ord0 it hath a iendish look<

9The Pilot made re!ly:

2 am a)eared#<#Push on" !ush on0#

Said the .ermit cheerily&

The boat came closer to the shi!"

But 2 nor s!ake nor stirred(

The boat came close beneath the shi!"

$nd straight a sound was heard&



>nder the water it rumbled on"

Still louder and more dread-

2t reached the shi!" it s!lit the bay(

The shi! went down like lead&

Stunned by that loud and dreadul sound"

Which sky and ocean smote"

1ike one that hath been se%en days drowned

*y body lay aloat(

But swit as dreams" mysel 2 ound

Within the Pilot#s boat&

>!on the whirl" where sank the shi!"

The boat s!un round and round(

$nd all was still" sa%e that the hill

Was telling o the sound&

2 mo%ed my li!s<the Pilot shrieked

$nd ell down in a it(

The holy .ermit raised his eyes"

$nd !rayed where he did sit&

2 took the oars- the Pilot#s boy"

Who now doth cra+y go"

1aughed loud and long" and all the while

.is eyes went to and ro&

#.a0 ha0# 6uoth he" #ull !lain 2 see"



The 4e%il knows how to row&#

$nd now" all in my own countree"

2 stood on the irm land0

The .ermit ste!!ed orth rom the boat"

$nd scarcely he could stand&

#O shrie%e me" shrie%e me" holy man0#

The .ermit crossed his brow&

#Say 6uick"# 6uoth he" #2 bid thee say<

What manner o man art thou3#

,orthwith this rame o mine was wrenched

With a woul agony"

Which orced me to begin my tale(

$nd then it let me ree&

Since then" at an uncertain hour"

That agony returns-

$nd till my ghastly tale is told"

This heart within me burns&

2 !ass" like night" rom land to land(

2 ha%e strange !ower o s!eech(

That moment that his ace 2 see"

2 know the man that must hear me-

To him my tale 2 teach&



What loud u!roar bursts rom that door0

The wedding)guests are there-

But in the garden)bower the bride

$nd bride)maids singing are-

$nd hark the little %es!er bell"

Which biddeth me to !rayer0

O Wedding)Guest0 this soul hath been

$lone on a wide wide sea-

So lonely #twas" that God himsel

Scarce seemd there to be&

O sweeter than the marriage)east"

#Tis sweeter ar to me"

To walk together to the kirk

With a goodly com!any0<

To walk together to the kirk"

$nd all together !ray"

While each to his great ,ather bends"

Old men" and babes" and lo%ing riends

$nd youths and maidens gay0

,arewell" arewell0 but this 2 tell

To thee" thou Wedding)Guest0

.e !rayeth well" who lo%eth well



Both man and bird and beast&

.e !rayeth best" who lo%eth best

$ll things both great and small(

,or the dear God who lo%eth us"

.e made and lo%eth all&

The *ariner" whose eye is bright"

Whose beard with age is hoar"

2s gone- and now the Wedding)Guest

Turned rom the bridegroom#s door&

.e went like one that hath been stunned"

$nd is o sense orlorn-

$ sadder and a wiser man"

.e rose the morrow morn&

Christabel

BY SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE

PART I

#Tis the middle o night by the castle clock"

$nd the owls ha%e awakened the crowing cock(

Tu<whit0 Tu<whoo0

$nd hark" again0 the crowing cock"






.ow drowsily it crew&

Sir 1eoline" the Baron rich"

.ath a toothless masti bitch(

,rom her kennel beneath the rock

She maketh answer to the clock"

,our or the 6uarters" and twel%e or the hour(

E%er and aye" by shine and shower"

Si7teen short howls" not o%er loud(

Some say" she sees my lady#s shroud&

2s the night chilly and dark3

The night is chilly" but not dark&

The thin gray cloud is s!read on high"

2t co%ers but not hides the sky&

The moon is behind" and at the ull(

$nd yet she looks both small and dull&

The night is chill" the cloud is gray-

#Tis a month beore the month o *ay"

$nd the S!ring comes slowly u! this way&

The lo%ely lady" Christabel"

Whom her ather lo%es so well"

What makes her in the wood so late"

$ urlong rom the castle gate3

She had dreams all yesternight

O her own betrothd knight(

$nd she in the midnight wood will !ray



,or the weal o her lo%er that#s ar away&

She stole along" she nothing s!oke"

The sighs she hea%ed were sot and low"

$nd naught was green u!on the oak

But moss and rarest misletoe-

She kneels beneath the huge oak tree"

$nd in silence !rayeth she&

The lady s!rang u! suddenly"

The lo%ely lady Christabel0

2t moaned as near" as near can be"

But what it is she cannot tell&<

On the other side it seems to be"

O the huge" broad)breasted" old oak tree&

The night is chill( the orest bare(

2s it the wind that moaneth bleak3

There is not wind enough in the air

To mo%e away the ringlet curl

,rom the lo%ely lady#s cheek<

There is not wind enough to twirl

The one red lea" the last o its clan"

That dances as oten as dance it can"

.anging so light" and hanging so high"

On the to!most twig that looks u! at the sky&



.ush" beating heart o Christabel0

=esu" *aria" shield her well0

She olded her arms beneath her cloak"

$nd stole to the other side o the oak&

What sees she there3

There she sees a damsel bright"

4rest in a silken robe o white"

That shadowy in the moonlight shone-

The neck that made that white robe wan"

.er stately neck" and arms were bare(

.er blue)%eined eet unsandl#d were"

$nd wildly glittered here and there

The gems entangled in her hair&

2 guess" #twas rightul there to see

$ lady so richly clad as she<

Beautiul e7ceedingly0

*ary mother" sa%e me now0

9Said Christabel: $nd who art thou3

The lady strange made answer meet"

$nd her %oice was aint and sweet-<

.a%e !ity on my sore distress"

2 scarce can s!eak or weariness-

Stretch orth thy hand" and ha%e no ear0

Said Christabel" .ow camest thou here3





$nd hel! a wretched maid to lee&

Then Christabel stretched orth her hand"

$nd comorted air Geraldine-

O well" bright dame0 may you command

The ser%ice o Sir 1eoline(

$nd gladly our stout chi%alry

Will he send orth and riends withal

To guide and guard you sae and ree

.ome to your noble ather#s hall&

She rose- and orth with ste!s they !assed

That stro%e to be" and were not" ast&

.er gracious stars the lady blest"

$nd thus s!ake on sweet Christabel-

$ll our household are at rest"

The hall as silent as the cell(

Sir 1eoline is weak in health"

$nd may not well awakened be"

But we will mo%e as i in stealth"

$nd 2 beseech your courtesy"

This night" to share your couch with me&

They crossed the moat" and Christabel

Took the key that itted well(

$ little door she o!ened straight"

$ll in the middle o the gate(



The gate that was ironed within and without"

Where an army in battle array had marched out&

The lady sank" belike through !ain"

$nd Christabel with might and main

1ited her u!" a weary weight"

O%er the threshold o the gate-

Then the lady rose again"

$nd mo%ed" as she were not in !ain&

So ree rom danger" ree rom ear"

They crossed the court- right glad they were&

$nd Christabel de%outly cried

To the lady by her side"

Praise we the ;irgin all di%ine

Who hath rescued thee rom thy distress0

$las" alas0 said Geraldine"

2 cannot s!eak or weariness&

So ree rom danger" ree rom ear"

They crossed the court- right glad they were&

Outside her kennel" the masti old

1ay ast aslee!" in moonshine cold&

The masti old did not awake"

Yet she an angry moan did make0

$nd what can ail the masti bitch3

'e%er till now she uttered yell

Beneath the eye o Christabel&



Perha!s it is the owlet#s scritch-

,or what can ail the masti bitch3

They !assed the hall" that echoes still"

Pass as lightly as you will0

The brands were lat" the brands were dying"

$mid their own white ashes lying(

But when the lady !assed" there came

$ tongue o light" a it o lame(

$nd Christabel saw the lady#s eye"

$nd nothing else saw she thereby"

Sa%e the boss o the shield o Sir 1eoline tall"

Which hung in a murky old niche in the wall&

O sotly tread" said Christabel"

*y ather seldom slee!eth well&

Sweet Christabel her eet doth bare"

$nd /ealous o the listening air

They steal their way rom stair to stair"

'ow in glimmer" and now in gloom"

$nd now they !ass the Baron#s room"

$s still as death" with stiled breath0

$nd now ha%e reached her chamber door(

$nd now doth Geraldine !ress down

The rushes o the chamber loor&

The moon shines dim in the o!en air"



$nd not a moonbeam enters here&

But they without its light can see

The chamber car%ed so curiously"

Car%ed with igures strange and sweet"

$ll made out o the car%er#s brain"

,or a lady#s chamber meet-

The lam! with twoold sil%er chain

2s astened to an angel#s eet&

The sil%er lam! burns dead and dim(

But Christabel the lam! will trim&

She trimmed the lam!" and made it bright"

$nd let it swinging to and ro"

While Geraldine" in wretched !light"

Sank down u!on the loor below&

O weary lady" Geraldine"

2 !ray you" drink this cordial wine0

2t is a wine o %irtuous !owers(

*y mother made it o wild lowers&

$nd will your mother !ity me"

Who am a maiden most orlorn3

Christabel answered<Woe is me0

She died the hour that 2 was born&

2 ha%e heard the grey)haired riar tell

.ow on her death)bed she did say"



That she should hear the castle)bell

Strike twel%e u!on my wedding)day&

O mother dear0 that thou wert here0

2 would" said Geraldine" she were0

But soon with altered %oice" said she<

#O" wandering mother0 Peak and !ine0

2 ha%e !ower to bid thee lee&#

$las0 what ails !oor Geraldine3

Why stares she with unsettled eye3

Can she the bodiless dead es!y3

$nd why with hollow %oice cries she"

#O" woman" o0 this hour is mine<

Though thou her guardian s!irit be"

O" woman" o0 #tis gi%en to me&#

Then Christabel knelt by the lady#s side"

$nd raised to hea%en her eyes so blue<

$las0 said she" this ghastly ride<

4ear lady0 it hath wildered you0

The lady wi!ed her moist cold brow"

$nd aintly said" # #tis o%er now0#

$gain the wild)lower wine she drank-

.er air large eyes #gan glitter bright"

$nd rom the loor whereon she sank"



The loty lady stood u!right-

She was most beautiul to see"

1ike a lady o a ar countre&

$nd thus the loty lady s!ake<

#$ll they who li%e in the u!!er sky"

4o lo%e you" holy Christabel0

$nd you lo%e them" and or their sake

$nd or the good which me beel"

E%en 2 in my degree will try"

,air maiden" to re6uite you well&

But now unrobe yoursel( or 2

*ust !ray" ere yet in bed 2 lie&#

Luoth Christabel" So let it be0

$nd as the lady bade" did she&

.er gentle limbs did she undress"

$nd lay down in her lo%eliness&

But through her brain o weal and woe

So many thoughts mo%ed to and ro"

That %ain it were her lids to close(

So hal)way rom the bed she rose"

$nd on her elbow did recline

To look at the lady Geraldine&

Beneath the lam! the lady bowed"



$nd slowly rolled her eyes around(

Then drawing in her breath aloud"

1ike one that shuddered" she unbound

The cincture rom beneath her breast-

.er silken robe" and inner %est"

4ro!t to her eet" and ull in %iew"

Behold0 her bosom and hal her side<

$ sight to dream o" not to tell0

O shield her0 shield sweet Christabel0

Yet Geraldine nor s!eaks nor stirs(

$h0 what a stricken look was hers0

4ee! rom within she seems hal)way

To lit some weight with sick assay"

$nd eyes the maid and seeks delay(

Then suddenly" as one deied"

Collects hersel in scorn and !ride"

$nd lay down by the *aiden#s side0<

$nd in her arms the maid she took"

$h wel)a)day0

$nd with low %oice and doleul look

These words did say-

#2n the touch o this bosom there worketh a s!ell"

Which is lord o thy utterance" Christabel0

Thou knowest to)night" and wilt know to)morrow"

This mark o my shame" this seal o my sorrow(

But %ainly thou warrest"



,or this is alone in

Thy !ower to declare"

That in the dim orest

Thou heard#st a low moaning"

$nd ound#st a bright lady" sur!assingly air(

$nd didst bring her home with thee in lo%e and in charity"

To shield her and shelter her rom the dam! air&#

TH !"#!$%SI"# T" PART I

2t was a lo%ely sight to see

The lady Christabel" when she

Was !raying at the old oak tree&

$mid the /aggd shadows

O mossy lealess boughs"

5neeling in the moonlight"

To make her gentle %ows(

.er slender !alms together !rest"

.ea%ing sometimes on her breast(

.er ace resigned to bliss or bale<

.er ace" oh call it air not !ale"

$nd both blue eyes more bright than clear"

Each about to ha%e a tear&

With o!en eyes 9ah woe is me0:

$slee!" and dreaming earully"

,earully dreaming" yet" 2 wis"

4reaming that alone" which is<



O sorrow and shame0 Can this be she"

The lady" who knelt at the old oak tree3

$nd lo0 the worker o these harms"

That holds the maiden in her arms"

Seems to slumber still and mild"

$s a mother with her child&

$ star hath set" a star hath risen"

O Geraldine0 since arms o thine

.a%e been the lo%ely lady#s !rison&

O Geraldine0 one hour was thine<

Thou#st had thy will0 By tairn and rill"

The night)birds all that hour were still&

But now they are /ubilant anew"

,rom cliand tower" tu<whoo0 tu<whoo0

Tu<whoo0 tu<whoo0 rom wood and ell0

$nd see0 the lady Christabel

Gathers hersel rom out her trance(

.er limbs rela7" her countenance

Grows sad and sot( the smooth thin lids

Close o#er her eyes( and tears she sheds<

1arge tears that lea%e the lashes bright0

$nd ot the while she seems to smile

$s inants at a sudden light0

Yea" she doth smile" and she doth wee!"



1ike a youthul hermitess"

Beauteous in a wilderness"

Who" !raying always" !rays in slee!&

$nd" i she mo%e un6uietly"

Perchance" #tis but the blood so ree

Comes back and tingles in her eet&

'o doubt" she hath a %ision sweet&

What i her guardian s!irit #twere"

What i she knew her mother near3

But this she knows" in /oys and woes"

That saints will aid i men will call-

,or the blue sky bends o%er all0

PART II

Each matin bell" the Baron saith"

5nells us back to a world o death&

These words Sir 1eoline irst said"

When he rose and ound his lady dead-

These words Sir 1eoline will say

*any a morn to his dying day0

$nd hence the custom and law began

That still at dawn the sacristan"

Who duly !ulls the hea%y bell"

,i%e and orty beads must tell

Between each stroke<a warning knell"

Which not a soul can choose but hear



,rom Bratha .ead to Wyndermere&

Saith Bracy the bard" So let it knell0

$nd let the drowsy sacristan

Still count as slowly as he can0

There is no lack o such" 2 ween"

$s well ill u! the s!ace between&

2n 1angdale Pike and Witch#s 1air"

$nd 4ungeon)ghyll so oully rent"

With ro!es o rock and bells o air

Three sinul se7tons# ghosts are !ent"

Who all gi%e back" one ater t#other"

The death)note to their li%ing brother(

$nd ot too" by the knell oended"

=ust as their one0 two0 three0 is ended"

The de%il mocks the doleul tale

With a merry !eal rom Borodale&

The air is still0 through mist and cloud

That merry !eal comes ringing loud(

$nd Geraldine shakes o her dread"

$nd rises lightly rom the bed(

Puts on her silken %estments white"

$nd tricks her hair in lo%ely !light"

$nd nothing doubting o her s!ell

$wakens the lady Christabel&

#Slee! you" sweet lady Christabel3



2 trust that you ha%e rested well&#

$nd Christabel awoke and s!ied

The same who lay down by her side<

O rather say" the same whom she

Raised u! beneath the old oak tree0

'ay" airer yet0 and yet more air0

,or she belike hath drunken dee!

O all the blessedness o slee!0

$nd while she s!ake" her looks" her air

Such gentle thankulness declare"

That 9so it seemed: her girded %ests

Grew tight beneath her hea%ing breasts&

#Sure 2 ha%e sinn#d0# said Christabel"

#'ow hea%en be !raised i all be well0#

$nd in low altering tones" yet sweet"

4id she the loty lady greet

With such !er!le7ity o mind

$s dreams too li%ely lea%e behind&

So 6uickly she rose" and 6uickly arrayed

.er maiden limbs" and ha%ing !rayed

That .e" who on the cross did groan"

*ight wash away her sins unknown"

She orthwith led air Geraldine

To meet her sire" Sir 1eoline&



The lo%ely maid and the lady tall

$re !acing both into the hall"

$nd !acing on through !age and groom"

Enter the Baron#s !resence)room&

The Baron rose" and while he !rest

.is gentle daughter to his breast"

With cheerul wonder in his eyes

The lady Geraldine es!ies"

$nd ga%e such welcome to the same"

$s might beseem so bright a dame0

But when he heard the lady#s tale"

$nd when she told her ather#s name"

Why wa7ed Sir 1eoline so !ale"

*urmuring o#er the name again"

1ord Roland de ;au7 o Tryermaine3

$las0 they had been riends in youth(

But whis!ering tongues can !oison truth(

$nd constancy li%es in realms abo%e(

$nd lie is thorny( and youth is %ain(

$nd to be wroth with one we lo%e

4oth work like madness in the brain&

$nd thus it chanced" as 2 di%ine"

With Roland and Sir 1eoline&

Each s!ake words o high disdain



$nd insult to his heart#s best brother-

They !arted<ne#er to meet again0

But ne%er either ound another

To ree the hollow heart rom !aining<

They stood aloo" the scars remaining"

1ike clis which had been rent asunder(

$ dreary sea now lows between(<

But neither heat" nor rost" nor thunder"

Shall wholly do away" 2 ween"

The marks o that which once hath been&

Sir 1eoline" a moment#s s!ace"

Stood ga+ing on the damsel#s ace-

$nd the youthul 1ord o Tryermaine

Came back u!on his heart again&

O then the Baron orgot his age"

.is noble heart swelled high with rage(

.e swore by the wounds in =esu#s side

.e would !roclaim it ar and wide"

With trum! and solemn heraldry"

That they" who thus had wronged the dame"

Were base as s!otted inamy0

#$nd i they dare deny the same"

*y herald shall a!!oint a week"

$nd let the recreant traitors seek

*y tourney court<that there and then





While in the lady#s arms she lay"

.ad !ut a ra!ture in her breast"

$nd on her li!s and o#er her eyes

S!read smiles like light0

With new sur!rise"

#What ails then my belo%d child3

The Baron said<.is daughter mild

*ade answer" #$ll will yet be well0#

2 ween" she had no !ower to tell

$ught else- so mighty was the s!ell&

Yet he" who saw this Geraldine"

.ad deemed her sure a thing di%ine-

Such sorrow with such grace she blended"

$s i she eared she had oended

Sweet Christabel" that gentle maid0

$nd with such lowly tones she !rayed

She might be sent without delay

.ome to her ather#s mansion&

#'ay0

'ay" by my soul0# said 1eoline&

#.o0 Bracy the bard" the charge be thine0

Go thou" with sweet music and loud"

$nd take two steeds with tra!!ings !roud"

$nd take the youth whom thou lo%#st best

To bear thy har!" and learn thy song"

$nd clothe you both in solemn %est"



$nd o%er the mountains haste along"

1est wandering olk" that are abroad"

4etain you on the %alley road&

#$nd when he has crossed the 2rthing lood"

*y merry bard0 he hastes" he hastes

>! 5norren *oor" through .alegarth Wood"

$nd reaches soon that castle good

Which stands and threatens Scotland#s wastes&

#Bard Bracy0 bard Bracy0 your horses are leet"

Ye must ride u! the hall" your music so sweet"

*ore loud than your horses# echoing eet0

$nd loud and loud to 1ord Roland call"

Thy daughter is sae in 1angdale hall0

Thy beautiul daughter is sae and ree<

Sir 1eoline greets thee thus through me0

.e bids thee come without delay

With all thy numerous array

$nd take thy lo%ely daughter home-

$nd he will meet thee on the way

With all his numerous array

White with their !anting !alreys# oam-

$nd" by mine honour0 2 will say"

That 2 re!ent me o the day

When 2 s!ake words o ierce disdain

To Roland de ;au7 o Tryermaine0<



<,or since that e%il hour hath lown"

*any a summer#s sun hath shone(

Yet ne#er ound 2 a riend again

1ike Roland de ;au7 o Tryermaine&

The lady ell" and clas!ed his knees"

.er ace u!raised" her eyes o#erlowing(

$nd Bracy re!lied" with altering %oice"

.is gracious .ail on all bestowing0<

#Thy words" thou sire o Christabel"

$re sweeter than my har! can tell(

Yet might 2 gain a boon o thee"

This day my /ourney should not be"

So strange a dream hath come to me"

That 2 had %owed with music loud

To clear yon wood rom thing unblest&

Warned by a %ision in my rest0

,or in my slee! 2 saw that do%e"

That gentle bird" whom thou dost lo%e"

$nd call#st by thy own daughter#s name<

Sir 1eoline0 2 saw the same

,luttering" and uttering earul moan"

$mong the green herbs in the orest alone&

Which when 2 saw and when 2 heard"

2 wonder#d what might ail the bird(

,or nothing near it could 2 see

Sa%e the grass and green herbs underneath the old tree&



#$nd in my dream methought 2 went

To search out what might there be ound(

$nd what the sweet bird#s trouble meant"

That thus lay luttering on the ground&

2 went and !eered" and could descry

'o cause or her distressul cry(

But yet or her dear lady#s sake

2 stoo!ed" methought" the do%e to take"

When lo0 2 saw a bright green snake

Coiled around its wings and neck&

Green as the herbs on which it couched"

Close by the do%e#s its head it crouched(

$nd with the do%e it hea%es and stirs"

Swelling its neck as she swelled hers0

2 woke( it was the midnight hour"

The clock was echoing in the tower(

But though my slumber was gone by"

This dream it would not !ass away<

2t seems to li%e u!on my eye0

$nd thence 2 %owed this sel)same day

With music strong and saintly song

To wander through the orest bare"

1est aught unholy loiter there&#

Thus Bracy said- the Baron" the while"



.al)listening heard him with a smile(

Then turned to 1ady Geraldine"

.is eyes made u! o wonder and lo%e(

$nd said in courtly accents ine"

#Sweet maid" 1ord Roland#s beauteous do%e"

With arms more strong than har! or song"

Thy sire and 2 will crush the snake0#

.e kissed her orehead as he s!ake"

$nd Geraldine in maiden wise

Casting down her large bright eyes"

With blushing cheek and courtesy ine

She turned her rom Sir 1eoline(

Sotly gathering u! her train"

That o#er her right arm ell again(

$nd olded her arms across her chest"

$nd couched her head u!on her breast"

$nd looked askance at Christabel

=esu" *aria" shield her well0

$ snake#s small eye blinks dull and shy(

$nd the lady#s eyes they shrunk in her head"

Each shrunk u! to a ser!ent#s eye

$nd with somewhat o malice" and more o dread"

$t Christabel she looked askance0<

One moment<and the sight was led0

But Christabel in di++y trance

Stumbling on the unsteady ground



Shuddered aloud" with a hissing sound(

$nd Geraldine again turned round"

$nd like a thing" that sought relie"

,ull o wonder and ull o grie"

She rolled her large bright eyes di%ine

Wildly on Sir 1eoline&

The maid" alas0 her thoughts are gone"

She nothing sees<no sight but one0

The maid" de%oid o guile and sin"

2 know not how" in earul wise"

So dee!ly she had drunken in

That look" those shrunken ser!ent eyes"

That all her eatures were resigned

To this sole image in her mind-

$nd !assi%ely did imitate

That look o dull and treacherous hate0

$nd thus she stood" in di++y trance(

Still !icturing that look askance

With orced unconscious sym!athy

,ull beore her ather#s %iew<

$s ar as such a look could be

2n eyes so innocent and blue0

$nd when the trance was o#er" the maid

Paused awhile" and inly !rayed-

Then alling at the Baron#s eet"



#By my mother#s soul do 2 entreat

That thou this woman send away0#

She said- and more she could not say-

,or what she knew she could not tell"

O#er)mastered by the mighty s!ell&

Why is thy cheek so wan and wild"

Sir 1eoline3 Thy only child

1ies at thy eet" thy /oy" thy !ride"

So air" so innocent" so mild(

The same" or whom thy lady died0

O by the !angs o her dear mother

Think thou no e%il o thy child0

,or her" and thee" and or no other"

She !rayed the moment ere she died-

Prayed that the babe or whom she died"

*ight !ro%e her dear lord#s /oy and !ride0

That !rayer her deadly !angs beguiled"

Sir 1eoline0

$nd wouldst thou wrong thy only child"

.er child and thine3

Within the Baron#s heart and brain

2 thoughts" like these" had any share"

They only swelled his rage and !ain"

$nd did but work conusion there&

.is heart was clet with !ain and rage"



.is cheeks they 6ui%ered" his eyes were wild"

4ishonoured thus in his old age(

4ishonoured by his only child"

$nd all his hos!itality

To the wronged daughter o his riend

By more than woman#s /ealousy

Brought thus to a disgraceul end<

.e rolled his eye with stern regard

>!on the gentle minstrel bard"

$nd said in tones abru!t" austere<

#Why" Bracy0 dost thou loiter here3

2 bade thee hence0# The bard obeyed(

$nd turning rom his own sweet maid"

The agd knight" Sir 1eoline"

1ed orth the lady Geraldine0

TH !"#!$%SI"# T" PART II

$ little child" a limber el"

Singing" dancing to itsel"

$ airy thing with red round cheeks"

That always inds" and ne%er seeks"

*akes such a %ision to the sight

$s ills a ather#s eyes with light(

$nd !leasures low in so thick and ast

>!on his heart" that he at last

*ust needs e7!ress his lo%e#s e7cess

With words o unmeant bitterness&



Perha!s #tis !retty to orce together

Thoughts so all unlike each other(

To mutter and mock a broken charm"

To dally with wrong that does no harm&

Perha!s #tis tender too and !retty

$t each wild word to eel within

$ sweet recoil o lo%e and !ity&

$nd what" i in a world o sin

9O sorrow and shame should this be true0:

Such giddiness o heart and brain

Comes seldom sa%e rom rage and !ain"

So talks as it #s most used to do&

Date post:	07-Aug-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	enes-wolf-barucija
View:	220 times
Download:	0 times

Poems - English Pre-Romanticism

Documents