Again, perhaps and only once again, I turn my steps to London. Few the scenes And few the friends that there delighted me Will now delight me: some indeed remain, Tho' changed in features . . friend and scene . . both changed! I shall not watch my lilac burst her bud In that wide garden, that pure fount of air, Where, risen ere the morns are warm and bright, And stepping forth in very scant attire, Timidly, as became her in such garb, She hasten'd prompt to call up slumbering Spring. White and dim-purple breathed my favourite pair Under thy terrace, hospitable heart, Whom twenty summers more and more endear'd; Part on the Amo, part where every clime Sent its most graceful sons to kiss thy hand, To make the humble proud, the proud submiss, Wiser the wisest, and the brave more brave. Never, ah never now, shall we alight Where the man-queen was born, or, higher up The nobler region of a nobler soul, Where breathed his last the more than kingly man. Thou sleepest, not forgotten, nor unmourn'd, Beneath the chesnut shade by Saint Germain; Meanwhile I wait the hour of my repose, Not under Italy's serener sky, Where Fiesole beheld me from above Devising how my head most pleasantly Might rest ere long, and how with such intent I smooth'd a platform for my villagers, (Tho' stood against me stubborn stony knoll With cross-grain'd olives long confederate) And brought together slender cypresses And bridal myrtles, peering up between, And bade the modest violet bear her part. Dance, youths and maidens! tho' around my grave Ye dance not, as I wisht: bloom, myrtles! bend Protecting arms about them, cypresses! I must not come among you; fare ye well! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE COUNTRY CLERGYMAN'S TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE; ELECTION BALLAD by THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY ASSAULT by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY WASHINGTON MONUMENT BY NIGHT by CARL SANDBURG HYMN OF THE WEST by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN TO A WOMAN by KENNETH SLADE ALLING |