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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNETS ON THE SCENERY OF THE ESK: 5 by DAVID MACBETH MOIR

First Line: A BEECH-TREE O'ER THE MILL-STREAM SPREADS ITS BOUGHS
Last Line: COMES NOT AN ANSWER FROM THE SOLITUDE!
Subject(s): ESK (RIVER), SCOTLAND; LANDSCAPE;

A BEECH-TREE o'er the mill-stream spreads its boughs,
In many an eddy whirls the wave beneath;
From Stony-bank the west wind's perfumed breath
Sighs past—'tis Summer's gentle evening close:
Smooth Esk, above thy tide the midges weave,
Mixing and meeting oft, their fairy dance;
While o'er the crown of Arthur's Seat a glance
Of crimson plays—the sunshine's glorious leave;
Except the blackbird from the dim Shire Wood,
All else is still. So passes human life
From us away—a dream within a dream:
Ah! where are they, who with me, by this stream,
Roamed ere this world was known as one of strife?
Comes not an answer from the solitude!



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