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University of Virginia Library

Poems

By William Bell Scott

Scott, William Bell (1811-1890)

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I.

I.Age—Eight Years.

II.

II.Age—Sixteen Years.

III.

III.Age—Seventeen.

IV.

IV.Age—Eighteen.

V.

V.Age—Nineteen.

VI.

VI.

VII.

VII.Age—Twenty.

VIII.

VIII.Age—Twenty-one.

IX.

IX.Age—Twenty-three.

X.

XI.

XI.Age—Twenty-four.

XII.

XIII.

XIII.Age—Twenty-five.

XIV.

XV.

XV.Age—Unknown.

THE ARTIST'S BIRTHPLACE.

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TO THE GREAT SPHYNX:

I.

II.

III.

IV.

A RHYME OF LIFE.

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POEMS OCCASIONALLY ADDRESSED TO “MIGNON.”

I.

I.A DREAM OF LOVE.

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II.

II.A WATCHMAN-SONG.

1.

2.

3.

III.

III.LINES SENT WITH SPENCER'S “FAERY QUEEN.”

IV.

IV.RHYME TO THE DEPARTING YEAR.

VI.

VI.A COMPLIMENT TO MIGNON SINGING.

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FOURTEEN SONNETS.

I.

II.

II.TO DAVID SCOTT,

V.

V.ON READING HAYDON'S AUTOBIOGRAHY.

VI.

VI.WORDSWORTH. ON READING THE MEMOIRS BY DR. C. WORDSWORTH.

VII.

VII.WORDSWORTH.

VIII.

VIII.WORDSWORTH.

IX.

IX.THE FIRE AT EVENING.

X.

X.THE WIND IN THE CASEMENT:

XII.

XII.TO THE MUSICIAN.

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TEN SONNETS EMBODYING RELIGIOUS IDEAS.

III.

III.LIFE ITS OWN GUIDE.

IV.

IV.LIFE WITHOUT FAITH.

V.

V.RESTORATION OF BELIEF.

VI.

VI.ON THE AUTHORITY OF ANTIQUITY.

VII.

VII.PEBBLES IN THE STREAM.

IX.

IX.GOD AND THE SOUL.

X.

X.SPIRITUAL LIFE.

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VI.

How fresh the breeze is everywhere!
How blossom out the flowers so fair!
The primrose and the daffodil,
And mignonette scenting the household air,
Over the narrow sill.
The wind has softer wings than e'er
Were felt before! the flowers appear
Than any other flowers more bright,
Like angel eyes so wide and clear.
From whence this dear delight?

The window looks unto the west
O'er placarded walls: oh, blest
Is every stone and every seam!
And every chimney smoke caressed
Is but a pleasant dream!
The errand boy comes whistling by,
And sits down on the kerbstone nigh!
Blithe as an infant-god

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Who never might either grow old or die,
In spite of his weary load.

“Will you take a little wine?”
“Whatever you like shall be mine.”
The air is sweet and mild indeed;
These market-men are scarce divine!
Is it true a lamb can bleed?
Are there footsteps on the stair?
Is the sun in the noonday air?
Maryanne! you are so still,
Yours is sure a happy share
In this sweet, sweet world of ill.