The red frost came with his armies And camped by the sides of the sea. The maples and the oaks took on His gorgeous livery. They dyed their tents a madder, Alizarin and brown, And dipped their banners in the sun To give their joy renown. And lo, when twilight sobered Their dauntless cinnabars, Along the outposts of the sea The watch-fires of the stars! And I for love of roving Am listed with the king, Because I knew the password, "Joy is the only thing!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INFANT JOY, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE CITY AT THE END OF THINGS by ARCHIBALD LAMPMAN THE MAN CHRIST by THERESE (KARPER) LINDSEY TO A CAT by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA by HENRY CLAY WORK |