Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FOR A SCHOOL MAGAZINE, by LEWIS MORRIS (1833-1907)


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOR A SCHOOL MAGAZINE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Blithe boyhood! Shall a jaded muse
Last Line: To gain the best.
Subject(s): Schools; Students


BLITHE boyhood! shall a jaded Muse,
A world-worn brain,
The tribute of a song refuse
Besought again?

Long since to my own school I gave
A humble lay,
Mixt memories now gay, now grave,
Of work and play.

The reverend courts, the Minster grey,
The curfew bell,
Still though dim years have passed away,
Remembered well.

The panting chase, the flying ball,
The tented plain,
The plunge 'neath the warm wave recall
Dead youth again.

The happy task, that sweetened rest;
The soul afire,
The thirst to know, the unsated zest,
For something higher.

The wonder of discovered lore
And wisdom old,
Poet and sage with new-found store,
Words, thoughts of gold,

Visions of far-off precious things,
Shy hopes of fame,
Ambition, spreading soaring wings,
Love's nascent flame.

Ah me! how far they seem, and yet
So strangely nigh,
Age might its slower limbs forget,
Its dimmer eye.

Again the hopeful youthful heart
Throbs high and fast.
Again the joy, sometimes the smart
Of the dead Past.

Not only in old fanes and hearts,
But ever new,
Young schools, young lives with varied arts
The Muse pursue.

Pass on, swift generations pass
Undaunted on,
Each year spreads swifter wings, alas!
Till all are gone.

Soon gay youth, lost in manhood's prime,
Shall fleet away,
Recruit, refresh the waste of Time
By healthful play!

But think ye that the needed rest,
The happier toil,
To him alone are fully blest
Who knows no soil.

Nor let your faithful thought forget
That work or rest,
Him profit most whose soul is set
To gain the best.





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