Classic and Contemporary Poetry
JOHN SMITH'S APPROACH TO JAMESTOWN [MAY 13, 1607], by JAMES BARRON HOPE First Line: I pause not to speak of raleigh's dreams Last Line: And breathed her fragrance on the lofty pines. Subject(s): America - Exploration; George, Saint (3rd Century); Jamestown, Virginia; Smith, John (1580-1631) | ||||||||
I PAUSE not now to speak of Raleigh's dreams, Though they might give a loftier bard fit themes: I pause not now to tell of Ocracock, Where Saxon spray broke on the red-brown rock; Nor of my native river which glides down Through scenes where rose a happy Indian town; But, leaving these and Chesapeake's broad bay, Resume my story in the month of May, Where England's cross -- St. George's ensign -- flowed Where ne'er before emblazoned banner glowed; Where English breasts throbbed fast as English eyes Looked o'er the waters with a glad surprise,-- Looked gladly out upon the varied scene Where stretched the woods in all their pomp of green; Flinging great shadows, beautiful and vast As e'er upon Arcadian lake were cast. Turn where they would, in what direction rove, They found some bay, or wild, romantic cove, On which they coasted through those forests dim, Wherein they heard the never-ceasing hymn That swelled from all the tall, majestic pines, -- Fit choristers of Nature's sylvan shrines. For though no priest their solitudes had trod, The trees were vocal in their praise of God. And then, when, capes and jutting headlands past, The sails were furled against each idle mast, They saw the sunset in its pomp descend, And sky and water gloriously contend For gorgeousness of colors, red and gold, And tints of amethyst together rolled, Making a scene of splendor and of rest As vanquished day lit camp-fires in the West. And when the light grew faint on wave and strand, New beauties woke in this enchanted land, For through heaven's lattice-work of crimson bars Like angels looked the bright eternal stars, And then, when gathered tints of purplish brown, A golden sickle, reaping darkness down, The new moon shone above the lofty trees, Which made low music in the evening breeze, -- The breeze which floating blandly from the shore The perfumed breath of flowering jasmine bore; For smiling Spring had kissed its clustering vines, And breathed her fragrance on the lofty pines. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SEVEN ARTS by ROBERT FROST JOHN WINTER by LAURENCE BINYON MOTHER'S LOVE by THOMAS BURBIDGE THE SONG OF THE MOUTH-ORGAN by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE LINES WRITTEN TO A TRANSLATOR OF GREEK POETRY by MARGARET STEELE ANDERSON INSCRIPTION FOR AN ICE-HOUSE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD SONG OF OWL'S HEAD by NORMAN WILLIAMS BINGHAM THE PALACE OF OMARTES by EDWARD GEORGE EARLE LYTTON BULWER-LYTTON |
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