Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BROWNING'S GARDEN AT CAMBERWELL, by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BROWNING'S GARDEN AT CAMBERWELL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: May makes her own blithe beauty, nor doth need
Last Line: And may in camberwell recalls, and smiles.
Variant Title(s): The Camberwell Garden
Subject(s): Flowers; May (month); Sleep


MAY makes her own blithe beauty, nor doth need
The other loveliness of human deed
And human fellowship; yet doubly fair
She seems to brood o'er Camberwell, since there
Once walked the lad who made of blooms and birds
His cronies, knew their winsome ways and words.

Far did he wander; many a mile away,
And many a year, he saw the face of May,
Rosy, recurrent, in Italian nooks
Uplifting summer arms and Siren looks.
This month of melody and warmth and shine
Is welcome to the heart of man as wine.

Ah, but at Camberwell each sound and sight
And scent -- sure ministers to his delight --
Were interwove with dewy memories
Stronger and sweeter than from overseas;
And wheresoe'er his feet in faring turned,
Whiles, for that garden-place he must have yearned.

He who comes back to greet an old, dear friend,
And finds him gone, knows it is not the end,
But lovingly awaits the gladder day
When all friends gather in from far away.
So maiden May comes back and waits for him
In grass and flower and every greening limb.

* * * * * * * * *

Long gone the garden, and the singer too
Sleeps otherwhere; but still the sky is blue,
Spring scents are rife, old magic still beguiles,
And May in Camberwell recalls, and smiles.





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