SOMETIMES the softness of the embracing air, The tender beauty of the grass and sky, The look of still repose the mountains wear, The sea-waves that beside each other lie Contented in the sun -- the flowery gleams Of gardens by the doors of cottages, The sweet, delusive blessedness of dreams, The pleasant murmurs of the forest trees Clinging to one another -- all I see, And hear, and all that fancy paints, Do touch me with a deep humility, And make me be ashamed of my complaints. Then, in my meditations, I resolve That I will never, while I live, again Ruffle the graceful ministries of love With brows distrustful, or with wishes vain. Then I make pledges to my heart and say We two will live serener lives henceforth; For what is all the outward beauty worth, The golden opening of the sweetest day That ever shone, if we arise to hide, Not from ourselves, but from men's eyes away, The last night's petulance unpacified! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MUSKETAQUID by RALPH WALDO EMERSON SONG OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE by SIDNEY LANIER TWO VARIATIONS ON AN OLD NURSEY RHYME: 2 by EDITH SITWELL THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM by HENRY KIRKE WHITE THE THORN by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |