'Twas a balmy summer morning, Warm and early, Such as only June bestows; Everywhere the earth adorning, Dews lay pearly In the lily-bell and rose. Up from each green-leafy bosk and hollow Rose the blackbird's pleasant lay; And the soft cuckoo was sure to follow: 'Twas the dawning of the day! Through the perfumed air the golden Bees flew round me; Bright fish dazzled from the sea, Till medreamt some fairy olden- World spell bound me In a trance of witcherie. Steeds pranced round anon with stateliest housings, Bearing riders prankt in rich array, Like flushed revelers after wine-carousings: 'Twas the dawning of the day! Then a strain of song was chanted, And the lightly Floating sea-nymphs drew anear. Then again the shore seemed haunted By hosts brightly Clad, and wielding sword and spear! Then came battle shouts -- an onward rushing -- Swords, and chariots, and a phantom fray. Then all vanished: the bright skies were blushing In the dawning of the day! Cities girt with glorious gardens, Whose immortal Habitants in robes of light Stood, methought, as angel-wardens Nigh each portal, Now arose to daze my sight. Eden spread around, revived and blooming; When -- lo! as I gazed, all passed away: I saw but black rocks and billows looming In the dim chill dawn of day! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PASSIONS: AN ODE FOR MUSIC by WILLIAM COLLINS (1721-1759) ODE TO FORTUNE by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK INTROSPECTIVE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI ON THE DEATH OF DR. SWIFT by JONATHAN SWIFT IDYLLS OF THE KING: GUINEVERE by ALFRED TENNYSON QUATRAIN: FROM EASTERN SOURCES: 2 by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH WRITTEN ON THE DEATH OF OUR BELOVED GENERAL STONEWALL JACKSON by CAROLINE AUGUSTA BALL |