 | The poetical works of Henry Alford |  |
C.
[In dreamy days of boyhood and of youth]
“νυν ω κρηναι, λυκιον τε ποτον,
λειπομεν υμας, λειπομεν, ου δη
δοξης ποτε τησδ' επιβαντες.”
Soph. Philoct.
λειπομεν υμας, λειπομεν, ου δη
δοξης ποτε τησδ' επιβαντες.”
Soph. Philoct.
In dreamy days of boyhood and of youth
Sweet Poesy whispered often in mine ear;
And I could then with voice distinct and clear
Repeat her ditties: but of late, in sooth,
The sterner mandates of unflattering Truth
Have filled my hearing, making not less dear
High strains of verse; but hallowing with fear
My thoughts and keen remorse, and backward ruth.
Sweet Poesy whispered often in mine ear;
And I could then with voice distinct and clear
Repeat her ditties: but of late, in sooth,
The sterner mandates of unflattering Truth
Have filled my hearing, making not less dear
High strains of verse; but hallowing with fear
My thoughts and keen remorse, and backward ruth.
Therefore farewell, ye pleasant melodies
Of song, heroic, holy or pastoral:
Farewell, ye shades and voiceful forests all;
No more along your sward-paths dark with trees
Shall wander he, who, lightly skilled to please,
Could yet from leaf and rock poetic numbers call.
Of song, heroic, holy or pastoral:
207
No more along your sward-paths dark with trees
Shall wander he, who, lightly skilled to please,
Could yet from leaf and rock poetic numbers call.
| The poetical works of Henry Alford | |