The Australian Bell-bird Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCBCBCAA DADAEAFF GHGIGHA JKJKJJA JLJLJLJJ IGIJ GMM ANANANGG JHJIJIOO PAPAPAJJ JQJQJQRR JJJJJJSS TUTUTUVV AUAUAJJ TJTJTJJJ WAWTWTMM JJJJJJXX JJJJJJXX MAMAMATT LTLTLTJJ JXJXJXJ JJJJJJT JJJJJJJJ XJXJXJPP HTITITJJ TITITIJJ JJJJJJFF IJIJIJTT TTTTTTJJ XYXXXYI JJJJGJJJ JJJJJJXX JJJJJJTT JJJJJJTT XXXXXXJJ TJTJTJJJ TJTJTTTT JJJJJJJJ JXJXJXJJ ZJZJZJJJ JJJJJJJ JUJUJUJJ JXJXJXJJ JJJJJJJJ TXTXTXTT JJJJJJXX JXJXJXAA AXAXAXTT JJJJJJTT JJJJJJJJ JA2JA2JA2AA AJAJAJXX JXJXJXJJ JJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJ TTTTTTTT JJJTJJJJ XJXJXJTT ATATATXX JAJAJAJJ TJTJTJJJ JXJXJXAA JJJJJJJJ UJUJUJX JJJJJJJ TJTJTTXX JJJJJJJJ AXAXAXJJ JTJTJTTT B2TB2TB2TJJ JJJJJJJJ JJJJJJJJ JAJAJAXX TJTJTJJJ JJJJJ TT J J J J JJJJJ JJAA TXTXTXJ XJXJXJJJ JJJJJJC2C2 D2E2D2E2XE2A JJJJJJTT JJJJJJXX UJUJUJXX JTJTJTF2 UU TATATATT UJJJJJJ JJ UJAJAJA JJ G2JG2JG2JJJ TJTJTJTT JTJTJTJ JXJXJXXX UD2UD2 D2JJ G2G2G2G2 G2J JJJJJJJJ TJT JTJJJ JJJJJJAA XH2XH2XH2XH2 TATATAJJ JJJJJJ JXJXJXJ G2JG2JG2JXX JJJJ JJJJ G2JG2JG2JJJ TG2TG2TG2JJ JJJJJJJ XJXJXJJJ ATATATG2G2 JJJJJAJJJJ JJ JJJJTT JXJXJXJJ JXJXJXAA JUJUJUJ JXJ J AAA AAAH2H2 JJJJJJJJ ATATATAA

Toll	A
Toll ' 'The bell bird sounding far away	B
Hid in a myall grove ' He raised his head	C
The bush glowed scarlet in descending day	B
A masterless wild country and he said	C
My father 'Toll ' 'Full oft by her to stray	B
As if a spirit called have I been led	C
Oft seems she as an echo in my soul	A
'Toll ' from my native towers by Avon 'Toll'	A
	-
'Toll ' Oft as in a dream I see full fain	D
The bell tower beautiful that I love well	A
A seemly cluster with her churches twain	D
I hear adown the river faint and swell	A
And lift upon the air that sound again	E
It is it is how sweet no tongue can tell	A
For all the world wide breadth of shining foam	F
The bells of Evesham chiming Home sweet home	F
	-
The mind hath mastery thus it can defy	G
The sense and make all one as it DID HEAR	H
Nay I mean more the wraiths of sound gone by	G
Rise they are present 'neath this dome all clear	I
ONE sounds the bird a pause then doth supply	G
Some ghost of chimes the void expectant ear	H
Do they ring bells in heaven The learnedest soul	A
Shall not resolve me such a question 'Toll '	-
	-
'Toll ' Say I am a boy and fishing stand	J
By Avon 'Toll ' on line and rod intent	K
How glitters deep in dew the meadow land	J
What dost thou flit thy ministry all spent	K
Not many days we hail such visits bland	J
Why steal so soon the rare enravishment	J
Ay gone the soft deceptive echoes roll	A
Away and faint into remoteness ' 'Toll '	-
	-
While thus he spoke the doom'd sun touched his bed	J
In scarlet all the palpitating air	L
Still loyal waited on He dipped his head	J
Then all was over and the dark was there	L
And northward lo a star one likewise red	J
But lurid starts from out her day long lair	L
Her fellows trail behind she bears her part	J
The balefullest star that shines the Scorpion's heart	J
	-
Or thus of old men feigned and then did fear	I
Then straight crowd forth the great ones of the sky	G
In flashing flame at strife to reach more near	I
The little children of Infinity	J
They next look down as to report them 'Here '	-
From deeps all thoughts despair and heights past high	G
Speeding not sped no rest no goal no shore	M
Still to rush on till time shall be no more	M
	-
'Loved vale of Evesham 'tis a long farewell	A
Not laden orchards nor their April snow	N
These eyes shall light upon again the swell	A
And whisper of thy storied river know	N
Nor climb the hill where great old Montfort fell	A
In a good cause hundreds of years ago	N
So fall'n elect to live till life's ally	G
The river of recorded deeds runs dry	G
	-
This land is very well this air ' saith he	J
'Is very well but we want echoes here	H
Man's past to feed the air and move the sea	J
Ages of toil make English furrows dear	I
Enriched by blood shed for his liberty	J
Sacred by love's first sigh and life's last fear	I
We come of a good nest for it shall yearn	O
Poor birds of passage but may not return	O
	-
Spread younger wings and beat the winds afar	P
There sing more poets in that one small isle	A
Than all isles else can show of such you are	P
Remote things come to you unsought erewhile	A
Near things a long way round as by a star	P
Wild dreams ' He laughed 'A sage right infantile	A
With sacred fear behold life's waste deplored	J
Undaunted by the leisure of the Lord	J
	-
Ay go the island dream with eyes make good	J
Where Freedom rose a lodestar to your race	Q
And Hope that leaning on her anchor stood	J
Did smile it to her feet a right small place	Q
Call her a mother high such motherhood	J
Home in her name and duty in her face	Q
Call her a ship her wide arms rake the clouds	R
And every wind of God pipes in her shrouds	R
	-
Ay all the more go you But some have cried	J
The ship is breaking up they watch amazed	J
While urged toward the rocks by some that guide	J
Bad steering reckless steering she all dazed	J
Tempteth her doom yet this have none denied	J
Ships men have wrecked and palaces have razed	J
But never was it known beneath the sun	S
They of such wreckage built a goodlier one	S
	-
God help old England an't be thus nor less	T
God help the world ' Therewith my mother spake	U
'Perhaps He will by time by faithlessness	T
By the world's want long in the dark awake	U
I think He must be almost due the stress	T
Of the great tide of life sharp misery's ache	U
In a recluseness of the soul we rue	V
Far off but yet He must be almost due	V
	-
God manifest again the coming King '	-
Then said my father 'I beheld erewhile	A
Sitting up dog like to the sunrising	U
The giant doll in ruins by the Nile	A
With hints of red that yet to it doth cling	U
Fell battered and bewigged its cheeks were vile	A
A body of evil with its angel fled	J
Whom and his fellow fiends men worshipped	J
	-
The gods die not long shrouded on their biers	T
Somewhere they live and live in memory yet	J
Were not the Israelites for forty years	T
Hid from them in the desert to forget	J
Did they forget no more than their lost feres	T
Sons of to day with faces southward set	J
Who dig for buried lore long ages fled	J
And sift for it the sand and search the dead	J
	-
Brown Egypt gave not one great poet birth	W
But man was better than his gods with lay	A
He soothed them restless and they zoned the earth	W
And crossed the sea there drank immortal praise	T
Then from his own best self with glory and worth	W
And beauty dowered he them for dateless days	T
Ever their sound goes forth from shore to shore	M
When was there known an hour that they lived more	M
	-
Because they are beloved and not believed	J
Admired not feared they draw men to their feet	J
All once rejected nothing now received	J
Where once found wanting now the most complete	J
Man knows to day though manhood stand achieved	J
His cradle rockers made a rustling sweet	J
That king reigns longest which did lose his crown	X
Stars that by poets shine are stars gone down	X
	-
Still drawn obedient to an unseen hand	J
From purer heights comes down the yearning west	J
Like to that eagle in the morning land	J
That swooping on her predatory quest	J
Did from the altar steal a smouldering brand	J
The which she bearing home it burned her nest	J
And her wide pinions of their plumes bereaven	X
Spoiled for glad spiring up the steeps of heaven	X
	-
I say the gods live and that reign abhor	M
And will the nations it should dawn Will they	A
Who ride upon the perilous edge of war	M
Will such as delve for gold in this our day	A
Neither the world will nor the age will nor	M
The soul and what it cometh now Nay nay	A
The weighty sphere unready for release	T
Rolls far in front of that o'ermastering peace	T
	-
Wait and desire it life waits not free there	L
To good to evil thy right perilous	T
All shall be fair and yet it is not fair	L
I thank my God He takes th'advantage thus	T
He doth not greatly hide but still declare	L
Which side He is on and which He loves to us	T
While life impartial aid to both doth lend	J
And heed not which the choice nor what the end	J
	-
Among the few upright O to be found	J
And ever search the nobler path my son	X
Nor say 'tis sweet to find me common ground	J
Too high too good shall leave the hours alone	X
Nay though but one stood on the height renowned	J
Deny not hope or will to be that one	X
Is it the many fall'n shall lift the land	J
The race the age Nay 't is the few that stand '	-
	-
While in the lamplight hearkening I sat mute	J
Methought 'How soon this fire must needs burn out'	J
Among the passion flowers and passion fruit	J
That from the wide verandah hung misdoubt	J
Was mine 'And wherefore made I thus long suit	J
To leave this old white head His words devout	J
His blessing not to hear who loves me so	T
He that is old right old I will not go '	-
	-
But ere the dawn their counsels wrought with me	J
And I went forth alas that I so went	J
Under the great gum forest canopy	J
The light on every silken filament	J
Of every flower a quivering ecstasy	J
Of perfect paleness made it sunbeams sent	J
Up to the leaves with sword like flash endued	J
Each turn of that grey drooping multitude	J
	-
I sought to look as in the light of one	X
Returned 'Will this be strange to me that day	J
Flocks of green parrots clamorous in the sun	X
Tearing out milky maize stiff cacti grey	J
As old men's beards here stony ranges lone	X
Their dust of mighty flocks upon their way	J
To water cloudlike on the bush afar	P
Like smoke that hangs where old world cities are	P
	-
Is it not made man's last endowment here	H
To find a beauty in the wilderness	T
Feel the lorn moor above his pastures dear	I
Mountains that may not house and will not bless	T
To draw him even to death He must insphere	I
His spirit in the open so doth less	T
Desire his feres and more that unvex'd wold	J
And fine afforested hills his dower of old	J
	-
But shall we lose again that new found sense	T
Which sees the earth less for our tillage fair	I
Oh let her speak with her best eloquence	T
To me but not her first and her right rare	I
Can equal what I may not take from hence	T
The gems are left it is not otherwhere	I
The wild Nep an cleaves her matchless way	J
Nor Sydney harbour shall outdo the day	J
	-
Adding to day this that she lighteth it '	-
But I beheld again and as must be	J
With a world record by a spirit writ	J
It was more beautiful than memory	J
Than hope was more complete	J
Tall brigs did sit	J
Each in her berth the pure flood placidly	J
Their topsails drooping 'neath the vast blue dome	F
Listless as waiting to be sheeted home	F
	-
And the great ships with pulse like throbbing clear	I
Majestical of mien did take their way	J
Like living creatures from some grander sphere	I
That having boarded ours thought good to stay	J
Albeit enslaved They most divided here	I
From God's great art and all his works in clay	J
In that their beauty lacks though fair it shows	T
That divine waste of beauty only He bestows	T
	-
The day was young scarce out the harbour lights	T
That morn I sailed low sun rays tremulous	T
On golden loops sped outward Yachts in flights	T
Flutter'd the water air like clear while thus	T
It crept for shade among brown rocky bights	T
With cassia crowned and palms diaphanous	T
And boughs ripe fruitage dropping fitfully	J
That on the shining ebb went out to sea	J
	-
'Home ' saith the man self banished 'my son	X
Shall now go home ' Therewith he sendeth him	Y
Abroad and knows it not but thence is won	X
Rescued the son's true home His mind doth limn	X
Beautiful pictures of it there is none	X
So dear a new thought shines erewhile but dim	Y
'That was my home a land past all compare	I
Life and the poetry of life are there '	-
	-
But no such thought drew near to me that day	J
All the new worlds flock forth to greet the old	J
All the young souls bow down to own its sway	J
Enamoured of strange richness manifold	J
Not to be stored albeit they seek for aye	G
Besieging it for its own life to hold	J
E'en as Al Mamoun fain for treasures hid	J
Stormed with an host th' inviolate pyramid	J
	-
And went back foiled but wise to walled Bagdad	J
So I so all The treasure sought not found	J
But some divine tears found to superadd	J
Themselves to a long story The great round	J
Of yesterdays their pathos sweet as sad	J
Found to be only as to day close bound	J
With us we hope some good thing yet to know	X
But God is not in haste while the lambs grow	X
	-
The Shepherd leadeth softly It is great	J
The journey and the flock forgets at last	J
Earth ever working to obliterate	J
The landmarks when it halted where it passed	J
And words confuse and time doth ruinate	J
And memory fail to hold a theme so vast	J
There is request for light but the flock feeds	T
And slowly ever on the Shepherd leads	T
	-
'Home ' quoth my father and a glassy sea	J
Made for the stars a mirror of its breast	J
While southing pennon like in bravery	J
Of long drawn gold they trembled to their rest	J
Strange the first night and morn when Destiny	J
Spread out to float on all the mind oppressed	J
Strange on their outer roof to speed forth thus	T
And know th' uncouth sea beasts stared up at us	T
	-
But yet more strange the nights of falling rain	X
That splashed without a sea coal fire within	X
Life's old things gone astern the mind's disdain	X
For murmurous London makes soft rhythmic din	X
All courtier thoughts that wait on words would fain	X
Express that sound The words are not to win	X
Till poet made but mighty yet so mild	J
Shall be as cooing of a cradle child	J
	-
Sensation like a piercing arrow flies	T
Daily out going thought This Adamhood	J
This weltering river of mankind that hies	T
Adown the street it cannot be withstood	J
The richest mundane miles not otherwise	T
Than by a symbol keep possession good	J
Mere symbol of division and they hold	J
The clear pane sacred the unminted gold	J
	-
And wild outpouring of all wealth not less	T
Why this A million strong the multitude	J
And safe far safer than our wilderness	T
The walls for them it daunts with right at feud	J
Itself declares for law yet sore the stress	T
On steeps of life what power to ban and bless	T
Saintly denial waste inglorious	T
Desperate want and riches fabulous	T
	-
Of souls what beautiful embodiment	J
For some for some what homely housing writ	J
What keen eyed men who beggared of content	J
Eat bread well earned as they had stolen it	J
What flutterers after joy that forward went	J
And left them in the rear unqueened unfit	J
For joy with light that faints in strugglings drear	J
Of all things good the most awanting here	J
	-
Some in the welter of this surging tide	J
Move like the mystic lamps the Spirits Seven	X
Their burning love runs kindling far and wide	J
That fire they needed not to steal from heaven	X
'Twas a free gift flung down with them to bide	J
And be a comfort for the hearts bereaven	X
A warmth a glow to make the failing store	J
And parsimony of emotion more	J
	-
What glorious dreams in that find harbourage	Z
The phantom of a crime stalks this beside	J
And those might well have writ on some past page	Z
In such an hour of such a year we died	J
Put out our souls took the mean way false wage	Z
Course cowardly and if we be denied	J
The life once loved we cannot alway rue	J
The loss let be what vails so sore ado	J
	-
And faces pass of such as give consent	J
To live because 'tis not worth while to die	J
This never knew the awful tremblement	J
When some great fear sprang forward suddenly	J
Its other name being hope and there forthwent	J
As both confronted him a rueful cry	J
From the heart's core one urging him to dare	J
'Now now Leap now ' The other 'Stand forbear '	-
	-
A nation reared in brick How shall this be	J
Nor by excess of life death overtake	U
To die in brick of brick her destiny	J
And as the hamadryad eats the snake	U
His wife and then the snake his son so she	J
Air not enough 'though everyone doth take	U
A little ' water scant a plague of gold	J
Light out of date a multitude born old	J
	-
And then a three day siege might be the end	J
E'en now the rays get muddied struggling down	X
Through heaven's vasty lofts and still extend	J
The miles of brick and none forbid and none	X
Forbode a great world wonder that doth send	J
High fame abroad and fear no setting sun	X
But helpless she through wealth that flouts the day	J
And through her little children even as they	J
	-
But forth of London and all visions dear	J
To eastern poets of a watered land	J
Are made the commonplace of nature here	J
Sweet rivers always full and always bland	J
Beautiful beautiful What runlets clear	J
Twinkle among the grass On every hand	J
Fall in the common talk from lips around	J
The old names of old towns and famous ground	J
	-
It is not likeness only charms the sense	T
Not difference only sets the mind aglow	X
It is the likeness in the difference	T
Familiar language spoken on the snow	X
To have the Perfect in the Present tense	T
To hear the ploughboy whistling and to know	X
It smacks of the wild bush that tune 'Tis ours	T
And look the bank is pale with primrose flowers	T
	-
What veils of tender mist make soft the lea	J
What bloom of air the height no veils confer	J
On warring thought or softness or degree	J
Or rest Still falling conquering strife and stir	J
For this religion pays indemnity	J
She pays her enemies for conquering her	J
And then her friends while ever and in vain	X
Lots for a seamless coat are cast again	X
	-
Whose it shall be unless it shall endow	J
Thousands of thousands it can fall to none	X
But faith and hope are not so simple now	J
As in the year of our redemption One	X
The pencil of pure light must disallow	J
Its name and scattering many hues put on	X
And faith and hope low in the valley feel	A
There it is well with them 'tis very well	A
	-
The land is full of vision voices call	A
Can spirits cast a shadow Ay I trow	X
Past is not done and over is not all	A
Opinion dies to live and wanes to grow	X
The gossamer of thought doth filmlike fall	A
On fallows after dawn make shimmering show	X
And with old arrow heads her earliest prize	T
Mix learning's latest guess and last surmise	T
	-
There heard I pipes of fame saw wrens 'about	J
That time when kings go forth to battle' dart	J
Full valorous atoms pierced with song and stout	J
To dare and down yclad I shared the smart	J
Of griev d cushats bloom of love devout	J
Beyond man's thought of it Old song my heart	J
Rejoiced but O mine own forelders' ways	T
To look on and their fashions of past days	T
	-
The ponderous craft of arms I craved to see	J
Knights burghers filtering through those gates ajar	J
Their age of serfdom with my spirit free	J
We cannot all have wisdom some there are	J
Believe a star doth rule their destiny	J
And yet they think to overreach the star	J
For thought can weld together things apart	J
And contraries find meeting in the heart	J
	-
In the deep dust at Suez without sound	J
I saw the Arab children walk at eve	A2
Their dark untroubled eyes upon the ground	J
A part of Time's grave quiet I receive	A2
Since then a sense as nature might have found	J
Love kin to man's that with the past doth grieve	A2
And lets on waste and dust of ages fall	A
Her tender silences that mean it all	A
	-
We have it of her with her it were ill	A
For men if thought were widowed of the world	J
Or the world beggared of her sons for still	A
A crown d sphere with many gems impearled	J
She rolls because of them We lend her will	A
And she yields love The past shall not be hurled	J
In the abhorred limbo while the twain	X
Mother and son hold partnership and reign	X
	-
She hangs out omens and doth burdens dree	J
Is she in league with heaven That knows but One	X
For man is not and yet his work we see	J
Full of unconscious omen darkly done	X
I saw the ring stone wrought at Avebury	J
To frame the face of the midwinter sun	X
Good luck that hour they thought from him forth smiled	J
At midwinter the Sun did rise the Child	J
	-
Still would the world divine though man forbore	J
And what is beauty but an omen what	J
But life's deep divination cast before	J
Omen of coming love Hard were man's lot	J
With love and toil together at his door	J
But all convincing eyes hath beauty got	J
His love is beautiful and he shall sue	J
Toil for her sake is sweet the omen true	J
	-
Love love and come it must then life is found	J
Beforehand that was whole and fronting care	J
A torn and broken half in durance bound	J
That mourns and makes request for its right fair	J
Remainder with forlorn eyes cast around	J
To search for what is lost that unaware	J
With not an hour's forebodement makes the day	J
From henceforth less or more for ever and aye	J
	-
Her name my love's I knew it not who says	T
Of vagrant doubt for such a cause that stirs	T
His fancy shall not pay arrearages	T
To all sweet names that might perhaps be hers	T
The doubts of love are powers His heart obeys	T
The world is in them still to love defers	T
Will play with him for love but when 't begins	T
The play is high and the world always wins	T
	-
For 'tis the maiden's world and his no more	J
Now thus it was with new found kin flew by	J
The temperate summer every wheatfield wore	J
Its gold from house to house in ardency	T
Of heart for what they showed I westward bore	J
My mother's land her native hills drew nigh	J
I was how green how good old earth can be	J
Beholden to that land for teaching me	J
	-
And parted from my fellows and went on	X
To feel the spiritual sadness spread	J
Adown long pastoral hollows And anon	X
Did words recur in far remoteness said	J
'See the deep vale ere dews are dried and gone	X
Where my so happy life in peace I led	J
And the great shadow of the Beacon lies	T
See little Ledbury trending up the rise	T
	-
With peak d houses and high market hall	A
An oak each pillar reared in the old days	T
And here was little Ledbury quaint withal	A
The forest felled her lair and sheltering place	T
She long time left in age pathetical	A
'Great oaks' methought as I drew near to gaze	T
'Were but of small account when these came down	X
Drawn rough hewn in to serve the tree girt town	X
	-
And thus and thus of it will question be	J
The other side the world ' I paused awhile	A
To mark 'The old hall standeth utterly	J
Without or floor or side a comely pile	A
A house on pillars and by destiny	J
Drawn under its deep roof I saw a file	A
Of children slowly through their way make good	J
And lifted up mine eyes and there SHE STOOD	J
	-
She was so stately that her youthful grace	T
Drew out it seemed my soul unto the air	J
Astonished out of breathing by her face	T
So fain to nest itself in nut brown hair	J
Lying loose about her throat But that old place	T
Proved sacred she just fully grown too fair	J
For such a thought The dimples that she had	J
She was so truly sweet that it was sad	J
	-
I was all hers That moment gave her power	J
And whom nay what she was I scarce might know	X
But felt I had been born for that good hour	J
The perfect creature did not move but so	X
As if ordained to claim all grace for dower	J
She leaned against the pillar and below	X
Three almost babes her care she watched the while	A
With downcast lashes and a musing smile	A
	-
I had been 'ware without a rustic treat	J
Waggons bedecked with greenery stood anigh	J
A swarm of children in the cheerful street	J
With girls to marshal them but all went by	J
And none I noted save this only sweet	J
Too young her charge more venturous sport to try	J
With whirling baubles still they play content	J
And softly rose their lisping babblement	J
	-
'O what a pause to be so near to mark	U
The locket rise and sink upon her breast	J
The shadow of the lashes lieth dark	U
Upon her cheek O fleeting time O rest	J
A slant ray finds the gold and with a spark	U
And flash it answers now shall be the best	J
Her eyes she raises sets their light on mine	X
They do not flash nor sparkle no but shine '	-
	-
As I for very hopelessness made bold	J
Did off my hat ere time there was for thought	J
She with a gracious sweetness calm not cold	J
Acknowledged me but brought my chance to nought	J
'This vale of imperfection doth not hold	J
A lovelier bud among its loveliest wrought	J
She turns ' methought 'O do not quite forget	J
To me remains for ever that we met '	-
	-
And straightway I went forth I could no less	T
Another light unwot of fall'n on me	J
And rare elation and high happiness	T
Some mighty power set hands of mastery	J
Among my heartstrings and they did confess	T
With wild throbs inly sweet that minstrelsy	T
A nightingale might dream so rich a strain	X
And pine to change her song for sleep again	X
	-
The harp thrilled ever O with what a round	J
And series of rich pangs fled forth each note	J
Oracular that I had found had found	J
Head waters of old Nile held less remote	J
Golden Dorado dearest most renowned	J
But when as 't were a sigh did overfloat	J
Shaping 'how long not long shall this endure	J
Au jour le jour' methought 'Aujour le jour'	J
	-
The minutes of that hour my heart knew well	A
Were like the fabled pint of golden grain	X
Each to be counted paid for till one fell	A
Grew shot up to another world amain	X
And he who dropped might climb it there to dwell	A
I too I clomb another world full fain	X
But was she there O what would be the end	J
Might she nor there appear nor I descend	J
	-
All graceful as a palm the maiden stood	J
Men say the palm of palms in tropic Isles	T
Doth languish in her deep primeval wood	J
And want the voice of man his home his smiles	T
Nor flourish but in his dear neighborhood	J
She too shall want a voice that reconciles	T
A smile that charms how sweet would heaven so please	T
To plant her at my door over far seas	T
	-
I paced without nor ever liege in truth	B2
His sovran lady watched with more grave eyes	T
Of reverence and she nothing ware forsooth	B2
Did standing charm the soul with new surprise	T
Moving flow on a dimpled dream of youth	B2
Look look a sunbeam on her Ay but lies	T
The shade more sweetly now she passeth through	J
To join her fellow maids returned anew	J
	-
I saw myself to bide unmarked intent	J
Their youthful ease and pretty airs sedate	J
They are so good they are so innocent	J
Those Islanders they learn their part so late	J
Of life's demand right careless dwell content	J
Till the first love's first kiss shall consecrate	J
Their future to a world that can but be	J
By their sweet martyrdom and ministry	J
	-
Most happy of God's creatures Afterward	J
More than all women married thou wilt be	J
E'en to the soul One glance desired afford	J
More than knight's service might'st thou ask of me	J
Not any chance is mine not the best word	J
No nor the salt of life withouten thee	J
Must this all end is my day so soon o'er	J
Untroubled violet eyes look once once more	J
	-
No not a glance the low sun lay and burned	J
Now din of drum and cry of fife withal	A
Blithe teachers mustering frolic swarms returned	J
And new world ways in that old market hall	A
Sweet girls fair women how my whole heart yearned	J
Her to draw near who made my festival	A
With others closing round time speeding on	X
How soon she would be gone she would be gone	X
	-
Ay but I thought to track the rustic wains	T
Their goal desired to note but not anigh	J
They creaking down long hop ycrested lanes	T
'Neath the abiding flush of that north sky	J
I ran my horse I fetched but fate ordains	T
Love shall breed laughter when th' unloving spy	J
As I drew rein to watch the gathered crowd	J
With sudden mirth an old wife laughed aloud	J
	-
Her cheeks like winter apples red of hue	J
Her glance aside To whom her speech to me	J
'I know the thing you go about to do	J
The lady ' 'What the lady ' 'Sir ' saith she	J
'I thank you kindly sir I tell you true	J
She's gone ' and 'here's a coil' methought 'will be '	-
'Gone where ' ''Tis past my wit forsooth to say	T
If they went Malvern way or Hereford way	T
	-
A carriage took her up where three roads meet	J
They needs must pass you may o'ertake it yet '	-
And 'Oyez Oyez' peals adown the street	J
'Lost lost a golden heart with pearls beset '	-
'I know her sir not I To help this treat	J
Many strange ladies from the country met '	-
'O heart beset with pearls my hope was crost	J
Farewell good dame Lost oh my lady lost '	-
	-
And 'Oyez Oyez' following after me	J
On my great errand to the sundown went	J
Lost lost and lost whenas the cross road flee	J
Up tumbled hills on each for eyes attent	J
A carriage creepeth	J
	-
'Though in neither she	J
I ne'er shall know life's worst impoverishment	J
An empty heart No time I stake my all	A
To right and chase the rose red evenfall	A
	-
Fly up good steed fly on Take the sharp rise	T
As't were a plain A lady sits but one	X
So fast the pace she turns in startled wise	T
She sets her gaze on mine and all is done	X
Persian Roxana might have raised such eyes	T
When Alexander sought her Now the sun	X
Dips and my day is over turn and fleet	J
The world fast flies again do three roads meet '	-
	-
I took the left and for some cause unknown	X
Full fraught of hope and joy the way pursued	J
Yet chose strong reasons speeding up alone	X
To fortify me 'gainst a shock more rude	J
E'en so the diver carrieth down a stone	X
In hand lest he float up before he would	J
And end his walk upon the rich sea floor	J
Those pearls he failed to grasp never to look on more	J
	-
Then as the low moon heaveth waxen white	J
The carriage and it turns into a gate	J
Within sit three in pale pathetic light	J
O surely one of these my love my fate	J
But ere I pass they wind away from sight	J
Then cottage casements glimmer All elate	J
I cross a green there yawns with opened latch	C2
A village hostel capped in comely thatch	C2
	-
'The same world made for all is made for each	D2
To match a heart's magnificence of hope	E2
How shall good reason best high action teach	D2
To win of custom and with home to cope	E2
How warrantably may he hope to win	X
A star that wants it Shall he lie and grope	E2
No truly I will see her tell my tale	A
See her this once and if I fail I fail '	-
	-
Thus with myself I spoke A rough brick floor	J
Made the place homely I would rest me there	J
But how to sleep Forth of the unlocked door	J
I passed at midnight lustreless white air	J
Made strange the hour that ecstasy not o'er	J
I moved among the shadows all my care	J
Counted a shadow her drawn near to bless	T
Impassioned out of fear rapt motionless	T
	-
Now a long pool and water hens at rest	J
As doughty seafolk dusk at Malabar	J
A few pale stars lie trembling on its breast	J
Hath the Most High of all His host afar	J
One most supremely beautiful one best	J
Dearest of all the flock one favourite star	J
His Image given in part the children know	X
They love one first and best It may be so	X
	-
Now a long hedge here dream the woolly folk	U
A majesty of silence is about	J
Transparent mist rolls off the pool like smoke	U
And Time is in his trance and night devout	J
Now the still house O an I knew she woke	U
I could not look the sacred moon sheds out	J
So many blessings on her rooftree low	X
Each more pathetic that she nought doth know	X
	-
I would not love a little nor my start	J
Make with the multitude that love and cease	T
He gives too much that giveth half a heart	J
Too much for liberty too much for peace	T
Let me the first and best and highest impart	J
The whole of it and heaven the whole increase	T
For that were not too much	F2
	-
In the moon's wake	U
How the grass glitters for her sweetest sake	U
	-
I would toward her walk the silver floors	T
Love loathes an average all extreme things deal	A
To love sea deep and dazzling height for stores	T
There are on Fortune's errant foot can steal	A
Can guide her blindfold in at their own doors	T
Or dance elate upon her slippery wheel	A
Courage there are 'gainst hope can still advance	T
Dowered with a sane a wise extravagance	T
	-
A song	U
To one a dreaming when the dew	J
Falls 'tis a time for rest and when the bird	J
Calls 'tis a time to wake to wake for you	J
A long waking aye waking till a word	J
Come from her coral mouth to be the true	J
Sum of all good heart wanted ear hath heard	J
	-
Yet if alas might love thy dolour be	J
Dream dear heart dear and do not dream of me	J
	-
I sing	U
To one awakened when the heart	J
Cries 'tis a day for thought and when the soul	A
Sighs choose thy part O choose thy part thy part	J
I bring to one belov d bring my whole	A
Store make in loving make O make mine art	J
More Yet I ask no ask no wished goal	A
	-
But this if loving might thy dolour be	J
Wake O my lady loved and love not me	J
	-
'That which the many win love's niggard sum	G2
I will not if love's all be left behind	J
That which I am I cannot unbecome	G2
My past not unpossess nor future blind	J
Let me all risk and leave the deep heart dumb	G2
For ever if that maiden sits enshrined	J
The saint of one more happy She is she	J
There is none other Give her then to me	J
	-
Or else to be the better for her face	T
Beholding it no more ' Then all night through	J
The shadow moves with infinite dark grace	T
The light is on her windows and the dew	J
Comforts the world and me till in my place	T
At moonsetting when stars flash out to view	J
Comes 'neath the cedar boughs a great repose	T
The peace of one renouncing and then a doze	T
	-
There was no dream yet waxed a sense in me	J
Asleep that patience was the better way	T
Appeasement for a want that needs must be	J
Grew as the dominant mind forbore its sway	T
Till whistling sweet stirred in the cedar tree	J
I started woke it was the dawn of day	T
That was the end 'Slow solemn growth of light	J
Come what come will remains to me this night '	-
	-
It was the end with dew ordained to melt	J
How easily was learned how all too soon	X
Not there not thereabout such maiden dwelt	J
What was it promised me so fair a boon	X
Heart hope is not less vain because heart felt	J
Gone forth once more in search of her at noon	X
Through the sweet country side on hill on plain	X
I sought and sought many long days in vain	X
	-
To Malvern next with feathery woodland hung	U
Whereto old Piers the Plowman came to teach	D2
On her green vasty hills the lay was sung	U
He too it may be lisping in his speech	D2
'To make the English sweet upon his tongue '	-
How many maidens beautiful and each	D2
Might him delight that loved no other fair	J
But Malvern blessed not me she was not there	J
	-
Then to that town but still my fate the same	G2
Crowned with old works that her right well beseem	G2
To gaze upon her field of ancient fame	G2
And muse on the sad thrall's most piteous dream	G2
By whom a 'shadow like an angel came '	-
Crying out on Clarence its wild eyes agleam	G2
Accusing echoes here still falter and flee	J
'That stabbed me on the field by Tewkesbury '	-
	-
It nothing 'vailed that yet I sought and sought	J
Part of my very self was left behind	J
Till risen in wrath against th' o'ermastering thought	J
'Let me be thankful ' quoth the better mind	J
Thankful for her though utterly to nought	J
She brings my heart's cry and I live to find	J
A new self of the old self exigent	J
In the light of my divining discontent	J
	-
The picture of a maiden bidding 'Arise	T
I am the Art of God He shows by me	J
His great idea so well as sin stained eyes	T
Love aidant can behold it '	-
Is this she	J
Or is it mine own love for her supplies	T
The meaning and the power Howe'er this be	J
She is the interpreter by whom most near	J
Man's soul is drawn to beauty and pureness here	J
	-
The sweet idea invisible hitherto	J
Is in her face unconscious delegate	J
That thing she wots not of ordained to do	J
But also it shall be her votary's fate	J
Through her his early days of ease to eschew	J
Struggle with life and prove its weary weight	J
All the great storms that rising rend the soul	A
Are life in little imaging the whole	A
	-
Ay so as life is love is in their ken	X
Stars infant yet both thought to grasp to keep	H2
Then came the morn of passionate splendour when	X
So sweet the light none but for bliss could weep	H2
And then the strife the toil but we are men	X
Strong brave to battle with the stormy deep	H2
Then fear and then renunciation then	X
Appeals unto the Infinite Pity and sleep	H2
	-
But after life the sleep is long Not so	T
With love Love buried lieth not straight not still	A
Love starts and after lull awakes to know	T
All the deep things again And next his will	A
That dearest pang is never to forego	T
He would all service hardship fret fulfill	A
Unhappy love and I of that great host	J
Unhappy love who cry unhappy most	J
	-
Because renunciation was so short	J
The starved heart so easily awaked	J
A dream could do it a bud a bird a thought	J
But I betook me with that want which ached	J
To neighbour lands where strangeness with me wrought	J
The old work was so hale its fitness slaked	J
Soul thirst for truth 'I knew not doubt nor fear '	-
Its language 'war or worship sure sincere '	-
	-
Then where by Art the high did best translate	J
Life's infinite pathos to the soul set down	X
Beauty and mystery that imperious hate	J
On its best braveness doth and sainthood frown	X
Nay more the MASTER'S manifest pity 'wait	J
Behold the palmgrove and the promised crown	X
He suffers with thee for thee Lo the Child	J
Comfort thy heart he certainly so smiled '	-
	-
Thus love and I wore through the winter time	G2
Then saw her demon blush Vesuvius try	J
Then evil ghosts white from the awful prime	G2
Thrust up sharp peaks to tear the tender sky	J
'No more to do but hear that English chime'	G2
I to a kinsman wrote He made reply	J
'As home I bring my girl and boy full soon	X
I pass through Evesham meet me there at noon	X
	-
'The bells your father loved you needs must hear	J
Seek Oxford next with me ' and told the day	J
'Upon the bridge I'll meet you What how dear	J
Soever was a dream shall it bear sway	J
To mar the waking '	-
I set forth drew near	J
Beheld a goodly tower twin churches grey	J
Evesham The bridge and noon I nothing knew	J
What to my heart that fateful chime would do	J
	-
For suddenly the sweet bells overcame	G2
A world unsouled did all with man endow	J
His yearning almost tell that passeth name	G2
And said they were full old and they were now	J
And should be and their sighing upon the same	G2
For our poor sake that pass they did avow	J
While on clear Avon flowed like man's short day	J
The shining river of life lapsing away	J
	-
The stroke of noon The bell bird yes and no	T
Winds of remembrance swept as over the foam	G2
Of anti natal shores At home is it so	T
My country folk Ay 'neath this pale blue dome	G2
Many of you in the moss lie low lie low	T
Ah since I have not HER give me too home	G2
A footstep near I turned past likelihood	J
Past hope before me on the bridge SHE STOOD	J
	-
A rosy urchin had her hand this cried	J
'We think you are our cousin yes you are	J
I said so to Estelle ' The violet eyed	J
'If this be Geoffrey ' asked and as from far	J
A doubt came floating up but she denied	J
Her thought yet blushed O beautiful my Star	J
Then with the lifting of my hat each wore	J
That look which owned to each 'We have met before '	-
	-
Then was the strangest bliss in life made mine	X
I saw the almost worshipped all remote	J
The Star so high above that used to shine	X
Translated from the void where it did float	J
And brought into relation with the fine	X
Charities earth hath grown A great joy smote	J
Me silent and the child atween us tway	J
We watched the lucent river stealing away	J
	-
While her deep eyes down on the ripple fell	A
Quoth the small imp ' How fast you go and go	T
You Avon Does it wish to stop Estelle	A
And hear the clock and see the orchards blow	T
It does not care Not when the old big bell	A
Makes a great buzzing noise Who told you so	T
And then to me I like to hear it hum	G2
Why do you think that father could not come	G2
	-
Estelle forgot her violin And he	J
O then he said How careless child of you	J
I must send on for it 'T would pity be	J
If that were lost	J
I want to learn it too	J
And when I'm nine I shall	A
Then turning she	J
Let her sweet eyes unveil them to my view	J
Her stately grace outmatched my dream of old	J
But ah the smile dull memory had not told	J
	-
My kinsman next with care worn kindly brow	J
'Well father ' quoth the imp 'we've done our part	J
We found him '	-
And she wholly girlish now	J
Laid her young hand on his with lovely art	J
And sweet excuses O I made my vow	J
I would all dare such life did warm my heart	J
We journeyed all the air with scents of price	T
Was laden and the goal was Paradise	T
	-
When that the Moors betook them to their sand	J
Their domination over in fair Spain	X
Each locked men say his door in that loved land	J
And took the key in hope to come again	X
On Moorish walls yet hung long dust each hand	J
The keys but not the might to use remain	X
Is there such house in some blest land for me	J
I can I will I do reach down the key	J
	-
A country conquered oft and long before	J
Of generations aye ordained to win	X
If mine the power I will unlock the door	J
Enter O light I bear a sunbeam in	X
What did the crescent wane Yet man is more	J
And love achieves because to heaven akin	X
O life to hear again that wandering bell	A
And hear it at thy feet Estelle Estelle	A
	-
Full oft I want the sacred throated bird	J
Over our limitless waste of light which spoke	U
The spirit of the call my fathers heard	J
Saying 'Let us pray ' and old world echoes woke	U
Ethereal minster bells that still averr'd	J
And with their phantom notes th' all silence broke	U
'The fanes are far but whom they shrined is near	J
Thy God the Island God is here is here '	-
	-
To serve to serve a thought and serve apart	J
To meet a few short days a maiden won	X
'Ah sweet sweet home I must divide my heart	J
Betaking me to countries of the sun '	-
'What straight hung leaves what rays that twinkle and dart	J
Make me to like them '	-
'Love it shall be done '	-
'What weird dawn fire across the wide hill flies '	-
'It is the flame tree's challenge to yon scarlet skies '	-
	-
'Hark hark O hark the spirit of a bell	A
What would it 'Toll ' An air hung sacred call	A
Athwart the forest shade it strangely fell'	A
'Toll' 'Toll '	-
The longed for voice but ah withal	A
I felt I knew it was my father's knell	A
That touched and could the over sense enthrall	A
Perfect his peace a whispering pure and deep	H2
As theirs who 'neath his native towers by Avon sleep	H2
	-
If love and death are ever reconciled	J
'T is when the old lie down for the great rest	J
We rode across the bush a sylvan wild	J
That was an almost world whose calm oppressed	J
With audible silence and great hills inisled	J
Rose out as from a sea Consoling blest	J
And blessing spoke she and the reedflower spread	J
And tall rock lilies towered above her head	J
	-
	-
	-
Sweet is the light aneath our matchless blue	A
The shade below yon passion plant that lies	T
And very sweet is love and sweet are you	A
My little children dear with violet eyes	T
And sweet about the dawn to hear anew	A
The sacred monotone of peace arise	T
Love 't is thy welcome from the air hung bell	A
Congratulant and clear Estelle Estelle	A

Jean Ingelow

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