The Desolation of Eyam The Emigrant, a Tale of the American Woods: and other poems. By William and Mary Howitt |
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TO A DEAR LITTLE GIRL. |
 | The Desolation of Eyam |  |
163
TO A DEAR LITTLE GIRL.
Go to the fair fields where thy mother grew;
Go hear that river's yet rejoicing roll;
And let those bright and blessed scenes imbue
Thy happy soul.
Go hear that river's yet rejoicing roll;
And let those bright and blessed scenes imbue
Thy happy soul.
Go to that land deliciously that lies,—
Brown heaths, dark woods, green vallies, glades obscure,
Basking beneath the undisturbed skies,
Silent and pure.
Brown heaths, dark woods, green vallies, glades obscure,
Basking beneath the undisturbed skies,
Silent and pure.
Inviolate yet—the insufferable throng
Of lettered coxcombs have not broke its rest;
Still left to silence, solitude, and song,
A region blest.
Of lettered coxcombs have not broke its rest;
Still left to silence, solitude, and song,
A region blest.
164
Go dedicate thy heart to Nature's love,
For there she dwells in glory;—thou shalt there
Learn how her spells round the young soul are wove;
Her spirit share.
For there she dwells in glory;—thou shalt there
Learn how her spells round the young soul are wove;
Her spirit share.
I would not have thee linked unto the gauds
Of city life, moulded to fancies vain;
Pining for follies which the fool applauds;
The wise disdain.
Of city life, moulded to fancies vain;
Pining for follies which the fool applauds;
The wise disdain.
But be thy spirit wed unto the soul
Of Nature's greatness;—to the living flow
Of noblest thoughts, warm feelings—to the whole
She will bestow.
Of Nature's greatness;—to the living flow
Of noblest thoughts, warm feelings—to the whole
She will bestow.
Then let the world her witcheries employ;
Thy love her poor enchantments will not win;
But brightest waters, from the fount of joy,
Shall well within.
Thy love her poor enchantments will not win;
But brightest waters, from the fount of joy,
Shall well within.
165
Then shalt thou gather wisdom, day by day,
From stars and mountains;—wealth from wind and wave;
And the fond heart which framed this guiding lay
Bless in the grave.
From stars and mountains;—wealth from wind and wave;
And the fond heart which framed this guiding lay
Bless in the grave.
| The Desolation of Eyam | |