I KNOW what beauty is, for thou Hast set the world within my heart; Of me thou madest it a part; I never loved it more than now. I know the Sabbath afternoons; The light asleep upon the graves: Against the sky the poplar waves; The river murmurs organ tunes. I know the spring with bud and bell; The hush in summer woods at night; Autumn, when trees let in more light; Fantastic winter's lovely spell. I know the rapture music gives, Its mystery of ordered tones: Dream-muffled soul, it loves and moans, And, half-alive, comes in and lives. And verse I know, whose concord high Of thought and music lifts the soul Where many a glimmering starry shoal Glides through the Godhead's living sky. Yea, Beauty's regnant All I know— The imperial head, the thoughtful eyes; The God-imprisoned harmonies That out in gracious motions go. But I leave all, O Son of man, Put off my shoes, and come to thee! Most lovely thou of all I see, Most potent thou of all that can! As child forsakes his favourite toy, His sisters' sport, his new-found nest, And, climbing to his mother's breast, Enjoys yet more his late-left joy— I lose to find. On fair-browed bride Fair pearls their fairest light afford; So, gathered round thy glory, Lord, All glory else is glorified. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY (2) by JOHN BYROM ON SOME LINES OF LOPE DE VEGA by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) SONNET: 99 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE THE PILGRIM by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD CARN A-TURNEN YOLLER by WILLIAM BARNES THE BAKER'S VAN by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN LOST LAUGHTER by MINNIE HALLOWELL BOWEN BRITANNIA'S PASTORALS: BOOK 1. THE SECOND SONG by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |