Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MOUNTAIN LOVERS, by JOHN GALSWORTHY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MOUNTAIN LOVERS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The dawn's pale finger from her eye
Last Line: Their vigils, chant their threnodies!
Alternate Author Name(s): Sinjohn, John
Subject(s): Mountains; Hills; Downs (great Britain)


THE dawn's pale finger from her eye
Is brushing out the cobweb sleep;
See how the crimson clothes the sky,
And out of dark the mountains leap!
Now guides and hunters strap their gears,
The birds peep out, the mice run in;
A snow-wind moves the nose to tears,
As flowers to open just begin.
When moon fades out with tilting horn,
And sleepy boys lead sleepy goats --
Then hand in hand with Lover Hope
The strong-eyed, with our feet a-swing
We'll go a-marching up the slope
Of Young Enchantment's promising.

And now the clock is set at noon;
The butterflies are kittens black;
And cowbells tumble out a tune
Which yellow bees do mumble back.
We've climbed the snow into the sky;
Below, streams run a tinkling race,
And valleys glisten drowsily,
For all the world lies on its face.
The crystals bubble from the pine,
And grasses teem with little legs --
Then drink the cup of Lover Joy,
Who, silver-naked, goes about;
Till eager heart has got its cloy
Of wine that chases trouble out.

Now Sun has mellowed out the day,
And shadows play us hide and seek;
The cricket's legs have had their say,
And burned is every traveller's cheek.
Blueberries are ripe and warm,
Sparkle-fairies swim to land;
Hay is packing to the farm,
Cows, for milkmaids begging, stand.
Flaky trouts smoke in the dish,
Amber brews invite the throat --
Then let full plenty's droning song
Play harvest music to your ear:
Brave Lover Rest has come along
To drug the senses of his dear.

Dew is blessing all the air,
Steel-bright stars are winking points,
Hush is fallen, eyelids stare,
Rheum comes crackling at the joints.
Woodsmoke tingles in the nose,
Moon goes flying like a sail,
Frost is nipping at the toes,
Drowsy drags the evening tale.
Windy clouds like flighting geese,
Mountain-mad, the heavens haunt --
Then take the kiss of Lover Sleep,
Who slyly steals the light of eyes --
Let monk, and maid, and martyr, keep
Their vigils, chant their threnodies!





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