Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TIR NA N-OG by ROBIN ERNEST WILLIAM FLOWER

First Line: I HEARD THE SUMMER CALLING ACROSS GREAT BREADTHS OF SEA
Last Line: AND THE LANDWIND MOCKS MY LONGING AND THE SEA-WIND SADDENS ALL.
Subject(s): FAIRIES; SUMMER; YOUTH; ELVES;
I HEARD the summer calling across great breadths of sea
In the landwind and the seawind and the wind of gramerie;
For the seawind speaks in thunder and the landwind whispers low,
But the little wind of faery you scarce can hear it blow.

But listen, listen, listen and you shall hear afar
A low and lovely murmur like the singing of a star,
And listen, listen, listen till all things fade and fall
And the lone and luring music is master over all.

And you shall hear it chanting in one triumphant chime
Of the life that lives for ever and the fugitives of time
Beyond the green lands' border and the washing wastes of sea
In the world beyond the world's end, where nothing is but glee.

The magic waters gird it, and skies of laughing blue
Keep always faith with summer and summer still is true;
There is no end of dancing and sweet unceasing song
And eyes to eyes make answer and love with love grows strong.

But close your ears and silence the crying of your heart
Lest in the world of mortals you walk a man apart
For O! I heard the music and answered to the call
And the landwind mocks my longing and the sea-wind saddens all.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net