Sketches from Life in Town and Country And some Verses: By Edward Carpenter: With Portrait |
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LAMPS BEFORE DAWN |
 | Sketches from Life in Town and Country |  |
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LAMPS BEFORE DAWN
I walk as one who, walking through the night
From village unto village far withdrawn,
Sees here and there a light and men who wake
With confused murmur growing unto dawn.
From village unto village far withdrawn,
Sees here and there a light and men who wake
With confused murmur growing unto dawn.
And suddenly the birds start into song,
And cart-wheels creak along the flinty ways,
And men are in the field, and lights are out,
While the first sunbeam fills the air with praise.
And cart-wheels creak along the flinty ways,
And men are in the field, and lights are out,
While the first sunbeam fills the air with praise.
So louder, as I wander through the world,
Sounds that glad anthem of the coming Day,
And lamps of men that grope within the dark
Flash quick and quicker through the morning grey,
Sounds that glad anthem of the coming Day,
And lamps of men that grope within the dark
Flash quick and quicker through the morning grey,
Ere they grow dim. O glance a thousand ways
Through night-airs coldly wreathing round my brow,
Ye heralds of a sun before whose face,
The whiles ye fade, men hasten forth to bow!
Through night-airs coldly wreathing round my brow,
Ye heralds of a sun before whose face,
The whiles ye fade, men hasten forth to bow!
| Sketches from Life in Town and Country | |