"Ma io perche venirvi? O chi'l concede?" AT morning dawn I left my sheep And sought the mountains all aglow; The shepherds said, "The way is steep: Ah, do not go!" I left my pastures fresh with rain, My water-courses edged with bloom, A larger breathing space to gain And singing room. Then of a reed I wrought a flute, And as I went I sang and played. But though I sang, my heart was mute And sore afraid. Because the great hill and the sky Were full of glooms and glorious Beyond all light or dark that I Imagined thus. A sudden sense, a second sight, Showed God, who burns in every briar. Then sudden voices, strong and bright, Flashed up like fire. And turning where that music rang I saw aloft, and far away, The watching poets; and they sang Through night and day. And very sweet -- ah, sweet indeed -- Their voices sounded high and deep. I blew an echo on my reed As one asleep. I heard. My heart grew cold with dread, For what would happen if they heard? Would not these nightingales strike dead Their mocking-bird? Then from the mountain's steepest crown, Where white cliffs pierce the tender grass, I saw an arm reach slowly down, Heard some word pass. "The end is come," I thought, "and still I am more happy, come what may, To die upon Parnassus-hill Than live away." Then hands and faces luminous And holy voices grew one flame -- "Come up, poor singer, and sing with us!" They sang; I came. So ended all my wandering; This is the end and this is sweet -- All night, all day, to listen and sing Below their feet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HARVEST MOON; SONNET by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW PSALM OF THOSE WHO GO FORTH BEFORE DAYLIGHT by CARL SANDBURG SEA VOICES by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE VERMONT FALL FEED by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY |