THE village spoke: "You come again, You left me for a world of men. Tell, How you feel now my former spell?" And I: "Sweet simpleton, old home -- Much charged, with puzzled heart I come; Still, I think you are the nonpareil." At that a breeze, a sigh was heard, And thus the traveller caught the word, "Child, Love's just and gentle; love you smiled; But was it not my creed and dream To fit you for a mightier theme? Proud You stepped away to join the crowd. And since, what hills, what skies you've known, What streets of strength, what speaking stone! More, The drama of terrestrial war; And love the Atlantis, far and near, And genius brightening sphere on sphere, Bounds That only seemed thought's pleasure-grounds. Thence come you with this accent dim, With eyes that gaze till the tears brim? I But look, how small and poor I lie." The sunny grass danced on the wall, The smithy clanged, old Jesse Hall Flung His jacket off, and scythed and sung; From school the hungry youngsters rushed, The caravan passed, the mill sluice gushed. "Dear," I answered, "all my ways led here." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DOWN BY THE SALLEY GARDENS by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS BRITANNIA TO COLUMBIA by ALFRED AUSTIN VERSES ON MRS. ROWE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD UPON MY FATHERS SUDDEN & DANGEROUS SICKNESS by JOSEPH BEAUMONT COMPENSATION by MARION L. BERTRAND IN REFERENCE TO HER CHILDREN, 23 JUNE, 1659 by ANNE BRADSTREET TO A PORTRAIT OF WHISTLER IN THE BROOKLYN ART MUSEUM by ELEANOR ROGERS COX |