Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DAY-DREAM: THE ARRIVAL, by ALFRED TENNYSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DAY-DREAM: THE ARRIVAL, by             Poet's Biography
First Line: All precious things, discover'd late
Last Line: How dark those hidden eyes must be!'
Alternate Author Name(s): Tennyson, Lord Alfred; Tennyson, 1st Baron; Tennyson Of Aldworth And Farringford, Baron


I

ALL precious things, discover'd late,
To those that seek them issue forth;
For love in sequel works with fate,
And draws the veil from hidden worth.
He travels far from other skies --
His mantle glitters on the rocks --
A fairy Prince, with joyful eyes,
And lighter-footed than the fox.

II

The bodies and the bones of those
That strove in other days to pass
Are wither'd in the thorny close,
Or scatter'd blanching on the grass.
He gazes on the silent dead:
'They perish'd in their daring deeds.'
This proverb flashes thro' his head,
'The many fail, the one succeeds.'

III

He comes, scarce knowing what he seeks;
He breaks the hedge; he enters there;
The color flies into his cheeks;
He trusts to light on something fair;
For all his life the charm did talk
About his path, and hover near
With words of promise in his walk,
And whisper'd voices at his ear.

IV

More close and close his footsteps wind;
The Magic Music in his heart,
Beats quick and quicker, till he find
The quiet chamber far apart.
His spirit flutters like a lark,
He stoops -- to kiss her -- on his knee.
'Love, if thy tresses be so dark,
How dark those hidden eyes must be!'







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