Fish in the unruffled lakes The swarming colours wear. Swans in the winter air A white perfection have. And the great lion walks Through his innocent grove; Lion, fish, and swan Act, and are gone Upon Timers toppling wave. We till shadowed days are done. We must weep and sing Duty's conscious wrong, The Devil in the clock, The Goodness carefully worn For atonement or for luck; We must lose our loves. On each beast and bird that moves Turn an envious look. Sighs for folly said and done Twist our narrow days; But I must bless, I must praise That you, my swan, who have All gifts that to the swan Impulsive Nature gave. The majesty and pride, Last night should add Your voluntary love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HAWORTH CHURCHYARD by MATTHEW ARNOLD EARTH'S IMMORTALITIES: FAME by ROBERT BROWNING MALVERN HILL [JULY 1, 1862] by HERMAN MELVILLE THE EAGLE SWIFT by ADAM OF SAINT VICTOR THE CASE OF EDGAR ABBOTT AND PHILIP RIDD by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |