I HAVE a wish, and it is this, that in some uncouth glen, It were my lot to find a spot unknown by selfish men; Where I might be securely free, like Eremite of old, From Worldly guile, from Woman's wile, and Friendships brief and cold; And where I might, with stern delight, enjoy the varied form Of Nature's mood, in every rude burst of the thundering storm. Then would my life, lacking fierce strife, glide on in dreamy gladness, Nor would I know the cark and woe which come of this world's madness; While in a row, like some poor show, its pageantries would pass, Without a sigh, before mine eye, as shadows o'er a glass: Nonentity these shadows be, -- and yet, good Lord! how brave That knavish rout doth strut and flout, then shrink into the grave! The Wilderness breathes gentleness; -- these waters bubbling free, The gallant breeze that stirs the trees, form Heaven's own melody; The far-stretched sky, with its bright eye, pours forth a tide of love On every thing that here doth spring, on all that glows above. But live with man, -- his dark heart scan, -- its paltry selfishness Will show to thee, why men like me, love the lone Wilderness! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SUN-DAY HYMN [OR LAMENT] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES TORTOISE SHELL by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE A DEAD HARVEST (IN KENSINGTON GARDENS) by ALICE MEYNELL PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 76. YA WALI by EDWIN ARNOLD DAY THAT I HAVE LOVED by RUPERT BROOKE ON AN INFANT UNBORN, AND THE MOTHER DYING IN TRAVAIL by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |