No sight earth yields our eyes is lovelier than The body of a naked strong young man. O watch him course the meadows flecked with shade Beside a stream, before his plunge be made! Then watch him ridge the water to its brims With rhythmic measure while he gravely swims; And watch him issue, shining even more, Run, leap and prove himself upon the shore, Intent to warm his limbs and have them dry, Making great efforts, seeming as he would fly. Ah! he can fill an hour up in this way And never hear a voice within him say "Why art thou not at work?" for it is true That all he is approves what he doth do. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SHIPS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR LAMENT FOR [THE DEATH OF] THOMAS DAVIS by SAMUEL FERGUSON THE ARGUMENT OF HIS BOOK by ROBERT HERRICK THE SCHOLARS by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS OF SIR PHILIP SIDNEY by JOHN BEAUMONT AFTERGLOW by CHARLES GRANGER BLANDEN |