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Fields, James Thomas, 1817-1881 [1866], Good company for every day in the year (Ticknor and Fields, Boston) [word count] [eaf559T]. To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.
I. WHEN the Poet's heart is dead, That with fragrance, light, and sound, Like a Summer-day was fed, Where, O, where shall it be found, — In Sea, or Air, or underground? II. It shall be a sunny place; An urn of odors; a still well, Upon whose undisturbed face The lights of Heaven shall love to dwell, And its far depths make visible. III. It shall be a crimson flower That in Fairyland hath thriven; For dew a gentle Sprite shall pour Tears of Angels down from Heaven, And hush the winds at morn and even.
IV. It shall be on some fair morn A swift and many-voiced wind, Singing down the skies of June, And with its breath and gladsome tune Send joy into the heart and mind. V. It shall be a fountain springing, Far up into the happy light, With a silver carol ringing, With a magic motion flinging Its jocund waters, starry-bright. VI. It shall be a tiny thing Whose breath is in it for a day, To fold at Eve its weary wing, And at the dewfall die away On some pure air, or golden ray, VII. Falling in a violet-bloom; Tombed in a sphere of pearly rain; Its blissful ghost a wild perfume To come forth with the Morn again, And wander through an infant's brain; VIII. And the pictures it should set In that temple of Delight Would make the tearless cherub fret With its first longing for a sight Of things beyond the Day and Night.
IX. But one moment of its span Should thicker grow with blissful things Than any days of mortal Man, Or his years of Sorrow can, Though beggars should be crowned kings. X. It shall be a tuneful voice Falling on a Lover's ear, Enough to make his heart rejoice For evermore, or far, or near, In dreams that swallow hope and fear. XI. It shall be a chord divine By Mercy out of Heaven hung forth, Along whose trembling, airy line A dying Saint shall hear on earth Triumphant songs, and harped mirth! XII. It shall be a wave forlorn That o 'er the vast and fearful Sea In troubled pride and beauty borne From winged storms shall vainly flee And seek for rest where none shall be. XIII. It shall be a mountain Tree, Thro' whose great arms the winds shall blow Louder than the roaring Sea, And toss its plumed head to and fro; But a thousand flowers shall live below.
XIV. It shall be a kingly Star That o'er a thousand Suns shall burn Where the high Sabaoth are, And round its glory flung afar A mighty host shall swiftly turn. XV. All things of beauty it shall be — All things of power — of joy — of fear; But out of bliss and agony It shall come forth more pure and free, And sing a song more sweet to hear. XVI. For methinks, when it hath passed Thro' wondrous Nature's world-wide reign, Perchance it may come home at last, And the old Earth may hear again Its lofty voice of Joy and Pain.
Fields, James Thomas, 1817-1881 [1866], Good company for every day in the year (Ticknor and Fields, Boston) [word count] [eaf559T]. |