PLAYS a child in a garden fair Where the demigods are walking; Playing unsuspected there As a bird within the air, Listens to their wondrous talking: "Would I knew -- would I knew What it is they say and do!" Stands a youth at city-gate, Sees the knights go forth together, Parleying, superb, elate, Pair by pair in princely state, Lance and shield and haughty feather: "Would I knew -- would I knew What it is they say and do!" Bends a man with trembling knees By a gulf of cloudy border; Deaf, he hears no voice from these Winged shades he dimly sees Passing by in solemn order: "Would I knew -- O would I knew What it is they say and do!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY BOY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE CHINESE LAUNDRYMAN by KAREN SWENSON FAREWELL TO LOVE by JOHN DONNE TERNISSA, FR HELLENICS by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR I AM THE WAY' by ALICE MEYNELL SPIRIT WHOSE WORK IS DONE (WASHINGTON CITY, 1865) by WALT WHITMAN A CHARACTER OF SARAH HALLOWELL VAUGHAN by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |