THERE'S not an echo round me, But I am glad should learn How pure a fire has found me, The love with which I burn. For none attends with pleasure To what I would reveal; They slight me out of measure, And laugh at all I feel. The rocks receive less proudly The story of my flame; When I approach, they loudly Reverberate His name. I speak to them of sadness, And comforts at a stand; They bid me look for gladness, And better days at hand. Far from all habitation, I heard a happy sound, Big with the consolation That I have often found; I said, "My lot is sorrow, "My grief has no alloy;" The rocks replied--"To-morrow, "To-morrow brings thee joy." These sweet and secret tidings What bliss it is to hear! For, spite of all my chidings, My weakness and my fear, No sooner I receive them, Than I forget my pain, And, happy to believe them, I love as much again. I fly to scenes romantic, Where never men resort; For in an age so frantic Impiety is sport; For riot and confusion They barter things above, Condemning, as delusion, The joy of perfect love. In this sequestered corner, None hears what I express; Delivered from the scorner, What peace do I possess! Beneath the boughs reclining, Or roving o'er the wild, I live as undesigning And harmless as a child. No troubles here surprise me; I innocently play, While Providence supplies me, And guards me all the day: My dear and kind Defender Preserves me safely here, From men of pomp and splendour, Who fill a child with fear. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A TERRIBLE INFANT by FREDERICK LOCKER-LAMPSON INDIFFERENCE by GEOFFREY ANKETELL STUDDERT-KENNEDY CHRISTMAS CAROL by SARA TEASDALE LONDON, 1802 (2) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH SAW YE JOHNNIE COMIN'? by JOANNA BAILLIE SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 36. STRONG, LIKE THE SEA by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) EPISTLE TO THE REV. JOHN M'MATH by ROBERT BURNS POETICAL INSCRIPTION FOR AN ALTAR OF INDEPENDENCE by ROBERT BURNS |