Long centuries past by lonely barrows grew The faery hawthorn boughs of haunted green, Beneath whose shade the Danaan gods unseen Awoke slain heroes dark with battle-dew; Their gilded shields of apple-wood and yew In time's deep tumulus have lost their sheen, Yet where these blossom-laden branches lean The faith of vanished ages blooms anew. One ancient miracle enduring still, Though earth's old magic seems a myth outworn, Has hallowed Avalon's enchanted hill; For when men hymn the Son of God reborn, Although December woods are bare and chill, At wintry Christ-tide flowers the Holy Thorn. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE EXAMPLE by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES MADRIGAL: 1 by WILLIAM DRUMMOND OF HAWTHORNDEN A MIDSUMMER'S NOON IN THE AUSTRALIAN FOREST by CHARLES HARPUR PLAIN LANGUAGE FROM TRUTHFUL JAMES by FRANCIS BRET HARTE COLUMBUS AND THE MAYFLOWER by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES SING-SONG; A NURSERY RHYME BOOK: 90 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI SIDNEY GODOLPHIN by CLINTON SCOLLARD |