Strengthening as secret manna, Fostering as clouds above, Kind as a hovering dove, Full as a plenteous river, Our glory and our banner For ever and for ever. Dear as a dying cadence Of music in the drowsy night; Fair as the flowers which maidens Pluck for an hour's delight, And then forget them quite. Gay as a cowslip meadow Fresh opening to the sun When new day is begun; Soft as a sunny shadow When day is almost done. Glorious as purple twilight, Pleasant as budding tree, Untouched as any islet Shrined in an unknown sea; Sweet as a fragrant rose amid the dew; -- As sweet, as fruitless too. A bitter dream to wake from, But oh how pleasant while we dream; A poisoned fount to take from, But oh how sweet the stream. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOW THEY GO ON by JAMES GALVIN THE COTTON CLUB by CLARENCE MAJOR MOUNTAIN WATER by SARA TEASDALE THE WILLING MISTRESS by APHRA BEHN A BOOK OF AIRS SONG 18 by THOMAS CAMPION LINCOLN by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE ROMAN ROAD by THOMAS HARDY |