Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET: THE COTTAGE ON THE HILL by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: ON A STEEP HILLSIDE, TO ALL AIRS THAT BLOW
Last Line: ARE MORE THAN DEATH OF KINGS, OR EMPIRES' FALL.

ON a steep hillside, to all airs that blow,
Open, and open to the varying sky,
Our cottage homestead, smiling tranquilly,
Catches morn's earliest and eve's latest glow;
Here, far from worldly strife, and pompous show,
The peaceful seasons glide serenely by,
Fulfil their missions, and as calmly die,
As waves on quiet shores when winds are low.
Fields, lonely paths, the one small glimmering rill
That twinkles like a wood-fay's mirthful eye,
Under moist bay-leaves, clouds fantastical
That float and change at the light breeze's will, --
To me, thus lapped in sylvan luxury,
Are more than death of kings, or empires' fall.



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