WHEN the dews are earliest falling, When the evening glen is grey, Ere thou lookest, ere thou speakest, My beloved, I depart, and I return to thee, -- Return, return, return. Dost thou watch me while I traverse Haunts of men, beneath the sun -- Dost thou list while I bespeak them With a voice whose cheer is thine? O my brothers! men, my brothers, You are mine, and I am yours; I am yours to cheer and succour, I am yours for hope and aid: Lo, my hand to raise and stay you, Lo, my arm to guard and keep, My voice to rouse and warn you, And my heart to warm and calm; My heart to lend the life it owes To her that is not here, In the power of her that dwelleth Where you know not -- no, nor guess not -- Whom you see not; unto whom, -- Ere the evening star hath sunken, Ere the glow-worm lights its lamp, Ere the wearied workman slumbers, -- I return, return, return. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE OLD MILL by THOMAS DUNN ENGLISH THE USE OF FLOWERS by MARY HOWITT UPON THE CIRCUMCISION by JOHN MILTON RIDDLE: A STAR by MOTHER GOOSE PRAISE OF WATER by THEODORE FAULLAIN DE BANVILLE ON RETURN FROM THE SHORE by HELEN IFFLA BAY OVER THE ROSE-LEAVES, UNDER THE ROSE by JOHN BENNETT (1865-1956) |