'NEATH the shady forest clusters Where winds were soft and sweet, Where the sunshine's golden lustres Seem'd lances long and fleet, Where the blackbird and the starling Sang anthems to the May, We wander'd, oh, my darling, That bygone happy day. We cared not for the morrow, The present was our own, And not a shade of sorrow Across our path was thrown; We saw wild-roses blushing Beneath each stately tree, We heard the river rushing To join the distant sea. The sea as blue and boundless As was the arching sky, And stately, calm, and soundless We saw tall ships go by. We cared not to remember That evening follows noon, That snow-flakes of December Make bleak the ways of June. Oh, day of perfect gladness, Oh, day of golden hours, I gather without sadness The dead leaves of your flow'rs, For though it all is over It brought me joy divine; I dream in grey October Of Mays that once were mine! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...APRIL by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE ROARING FROST by ALICE MEYNELL AUTUMN SONG by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE HAND OF LINCOLN by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN IDYLLS OF THE KING: THE MARRIAGE OF GERAINT by ALFRED TENNYSON |