The poetical works of Henry Alford Fifth edition, containing many pieces now first collected |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
ON THE EVENING OF A VILLAGE
FESTIVAL. (1832.) |
|
 | The poetical works of Henry Alford |  |
ON THE EVENING OF A VILLAGE FESTIVAL. (1832.)
While our shrub-walks darken,
And the stars get bright aloft,
Still we sit and hearken
To the music low and soft;
By the old oak yonder,
Where we watch the setting sun,
Listening to the far-off thunder
Of the multitude as one:
And the stars get bright aloft,
Still we sit and hearken
To the music low and soft;
By the old oak yonder,
Where we watch the setting sun,
Listening to the far-off thunder
Of the multitude as one:
224
Sit, my best beloved,
In the waning light;
Yield thy spirit to the teaching
Of each sound and sight:
While those sounds are flowing
To their silent rest;
While the parting wake of sunlight
Broods along the west.
In the waning light;
Yield thy spirit to the teaching
Of each sound and sight:
While those sounds are flowing
To their silent rest;
While the parting wake of sunlight
Broods along the west.
Sweeter 'tis to hearken
Than to bear a part;
Better to look on happiness
Than to carry a light heart:
Sweeter to walk on cloudy hills
With a sunny plain below,
Than to weary of the brightness
Where the floods of sunshine flow.
Than to bear a part;
Better to look on happiness
Than to carry a light heart:
Sweeter to walk on cloudy hills
With a sunny plain below,
Than to weary of the brightness
Where the floods of sunshine flow.
Souls that love each other
Join both joys in one;
Blest by other's happiness,
And nourished by their own:
So with quick reflection,
Each its opposite
Still gives back, and multiplies
To infinite delight.
Join both joys in one;
Blest by other's happiness,
And nourished by their own:
So with quick reflection,
Each its opposite
Still gives back, and multiplies
To infinite delight.
| The poetical works of Henry Alford | |