LATE into the lulling night the pickers toiled, Stripping still by candle-light the bines uncoiled. In the valley went and came The mumbling trains with eyes of flame; Cold as death is, from the fen Blue fogs clammed wayfaring men. Tolling bells and crouching shades put work away; Lurching clowns and kerchered maids closed their long day. Doors along the hamlet green creaked to and closed. Lamps were lighted: by the inn some drank, or dozed. Now keen ears could plainly tell Bucket splashed in Saunders' well, Or the passing of the churr, Or the rainwise elmin's stir. Far-off booths by Weston store for folks from town Blared and flared an hour more, then dark came down. Wandering scents of hops at kell, and straggler's songs, Dimmed with distance, wove a spell not found in throngs; Till the people were abed, Some in tent and some in shed; Till the twinkling lights went out, Lost in sleep's gigantic rout; Shunting at the station still jangled and banged, Still the steel rams by the mill in turmoil clanged. Soon through oddling eastern yews began to well Glimmering beauty, golden news from Astrophel: Dawning of the queen of elves (That loves their dance in toadstool delves) -- Till that moon-enmarvelled sky Charmed the coy clouds stealing by; Till the weir-head shined afar, and dew-dipt meads; While men were meditating war with which the world still bleeds. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP by ROBERT BROWNING OVER THE HILL TO THE POOR-HOUSE by WILLIAM MCKENDREE CARLETON THE NIGHT COURT by RUTH COMFORT MITCHELL GARDEN DAYS: 2. NEST EGGS by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON AN EVOCATION by AUGUSTE ANGELLIER MY WIFE'S COUSIN, SELECTION by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN THE COMPLAINT by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |