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Poems

by T. Westwood

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(10) “AWAY TO THE GREENWOOD.”
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134

(10)
“AWAY TO THE GREENWOOD.”

Away to the greenwood! why tarry we here?
To the dim, shady coverts, where coucheth the deer;
Where tall boughs are waving, should now be our home,
Where bright flowers are springing, our footsteps should roam:
Soon skies will be clouded, and young leaves grow sere,
Then away to the greenwood!—why tarry we here?

135

There's a charm in each glimpse of the sweet summer sky,
There's a spell in each wind that whirls wantonly by,
To chase away sadness, and while away care,
Till the spirits unburden'd, rise, buoyant as air;—
Hark! the bird's merry music is borne to our ear,
Oh, away to the greenwood! why tarry we here?
Leave the cit to his toil and his traffic all day,
To the turmoil and trouble that darken his way;
Our senses are finer, our pleasures more pure,
More lasting, than aught that dull gold can procure—
Oh, Freedom's a goddess that hath no compeer—
Then away to the greenwood! why tarry we here?