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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OUR LADY'S WELL, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Fount of the woods! Thou art hid no more Last Line: Who hath made thee nature's own again! Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Ruins; Springs (water); Women In The Bible; Virgin Mary | |||
FOUNT of the woods! thou art hid no more From heaven's clear eye, as in time of yore. For the roof hath sunk from thy mossy walls, And the sun's free glance on thy slumber falls; And the dim tree-shadows across thee pass, As the boughs are swayed o'er thy silvery glass; And the reddening leaves to thy breast are blown, When the autumn wind hath a stormy tone; And thy bubbles rise to the flashing rain -- Bright Fount! thou art nature's own again! Fount of the vale! thou art sought no more By the pilgrim's foot, as in time of yore, When he came from afar, his beads to tell, And to chant his hymn at Our Lady's Well. There is heard no Ave through thy bowers, Thou art gleaming lone midst thy water-flowers! But the herd may drink from thy gushing wave, And there may the reaper his forehead lave, And the woodman seeks thee not in vain -- Bright Fount! thou art nature's own again! Fount of the Virgin's ruined shrine! A voice that speaks of the past is thine, It mingles the tone of a thoughtful sigh With the notes that ring through the laughing sky; Midst the mirthful song of the summer bird, And the sound of the breeze, it will yet be heard! -- Why is it that thus we may gaze on thee, To the brilliant sunshine sparkling free? 'Tis that all on earth is of Time's domain -- He hath made thee nature's own again! Fount of the chapel with ages gray! Thou art springing freshly amidst decay; Thy rites are closed, and thy cross lies low, And the changeful hours breathe o'er thee now. Yet if at thine altar one holy thought In man's deep spirit of old hath wrought; If peace to the mourner hath here been given, Or prayer, from a chastened heart, to heaven -- Be the spot still hallowed while Time shall reign, Who hath made thee nature's own again! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MADONNA by KATHARINE LEE BATES BALLADE TO OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA by HILAIRE BELLOC OUR LORD AND OUR LADY by HILAIRE BELLOC PLASTIC BEATITUDE by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR A SONG OF MARY by LUCILLE CLIFTON ISLAND MARY by LUCILLE CLIFTON MARY'S DREAM by LUCILLE CLIFTON A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS |
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