PRIMEVAL woods my parent's birth Beheld, where no loud axe was heard, Where through a solitary earth No voice the leafy echoes stirred; But I was born in gloominess profound, In sable swaddling clothes the child of light was bound. Released at length by human skill, From long confinement forth I sped, And in each city's highway still I linger far beneath your tread; Though there are times, when grovelling thus no more, Beyond the clouds of earth, a prisoner still, I soar. No eye my subtle form may see, Till, coming forth to light, A slow consumption wasteth me In man's unpitying sight. Yet when from durance vile I swift escape, All feel my baleful presence, though none see my shape. I smile upon the giddy scene Of mirth, and revelry, and song; Yet in the sacred courts have been Devotion's handmaid long; With darkness waging constant strife and sure, I ever shun the day-beams though so bright and pure. Though none have ever heard my voice, Yet words of gladness traced in me Have bid full many a heart rejoice, When England's flag waved high and free. And with the song of victory sweetly blended The full deep hymn of praise that war's dark storm was ended. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRELUDE TO A FAIRY TALE by EDITH SITWELL THE FLIGHT OF THE GEESE by CHARLES GEORGE DOUGLAS ROBERTS SENEX TO MATT. PRIOR by JAMES KENNETH STEPHEN WINTER MEMORIES by HENRY DAVID THOREAU I WOULD NOT HAVE IT SO by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |