Shelley’s Death poem – Alfred Austin
What! And it was so! Thou wert then Death-stricken from behind, O heart of hearts! and they were men, That rent thee from mankind! Greedy hatred chasing love, As a hawk pursues a dove, Till the soft feathers float upon the careless wind. Loathed life! that I might break the chain Which links my […]
“Sadder than lark when lowering” poem – Alfred Austin
Sadder than lark when lowering Clouds defend the sky; Sadder than wild swan pouring Death-notes ere it die; Sadder than winds imploring Shelter when storms are high,- Couldst thou be less than adoring, More sad were I. Happy as streamlet flowing ‘Twixt banks of heathery peat; Happy as murmur going Through the inclining wheat; […]
Sacred And Profane Love poem – Alfred Austin
In the dark shadow of the windless pines Whose gloomy glory lines the obsequies Of the gaunt Claudian Aqueduct along The lone Campagna to sepulchral Rome, A Northern youth, companionless, reclined, Pondering on records of the Roman Past, Kingdom, Republic, Empire, longwhile gone. Hard-by, through marble tomb revivified, Rippled and bubbled water crystalline, Inwelling […]
“`Roses crimson, roses white” poem – Alfred Austin
`Roses crimson, roses white, Deadly pale or lovely blushing, Both in love with May at sight, And their maiden blood is rushing To and fro in hope to hide Tumult it but thus discloses. Bring the Bridegroom to the Bride! Everywhere are roses, roses.’ `Every wall is white with roses `Every wall is white […]
On Returning To England poem – Alfred Austin
There! once again I stand on home, Though round me still there swirls the foam, Leaping athwart the vessel’s track To bid a wanderer welcome back, And though as yet through softening haze White cliffs but vaguely greet my gaze. For, England! yours the waves, the spray, And, be one’s foothold what it may, […]
Resignation poem – Alfred Austin
Since we the march of Time can not arrest, Keep you in step with him till Time shall end: Thus will you journey with more easeful breast, Nor mar the rhythm that you cannot mend. Nor ever yearn impatiently to reap Harvest allotted unto mellower years, But, having sown the seed, take care to […]
Primacy Of Mind poem – Alfred Austin
Above the glow of molten steel, The roar of furnace, forge, and shed, Protectress of the City’s weal, Now, Learning rears her loftier head; That Progress may at length descry It lacks the clue to guide aright, And, conscious of its blindness, cry Unto the Muse, “More light! More light!” That Wealth may fitly […]
Primacy Of Mind poem – Alfred Austin
Above the glow of molten steel, The roar of furnace, forge, and shed, Protectress of the City’s weal, Now, Learning rears her loftier head; That Progress may at length descry It lacks the clue to guide aright, And, conscious of its blindness, cry Unto the Muse, “More light! More light!” That Wealth may fitly […]
Polyphemus poem – Alfred Austin
POLYPHEMUS “Where lurk they now? Either in some green grot, With cool, moist mosses overhung, that drink From slowly-welling, never-waning wave The freshness of their sustenance; or hid In the snug hollow of some rounded bole, Chestnut or pine, whose heart corroding time Hath pared away, leaving the knotted rind For shelter against sunshine, […]
Poet’s Corner poem – Alfred Austin
I stand within the Abbey walls, Where soft the slanting sunlight falls In gleams of mellow grace: The organ swells, the anthem soars, And waves of prayerful music pours Throughout the solemn space. Slowly the chanted yearning dies: Then spoken supplications rise, Upfloating to the sky; The organ peals anew, again Is silent, and […]
Poet’s Corner poem – Alfred Austin
I stand within the Abbey walls, Where soft the slanting sunlight falls In gleams of mellow grace: The organ swells, the anthem soars, And waves of prayerful music pours Throughout the solemn space. Slowly the chanted yearning dies: Then spoken supplications rise, Upfloating to the sky; The organ peals anew, again Is silent, and […]
Pax Britannica poem – Alfred Austin
Behind her rolling ramparts England lay, Impregnable, and girt by cliff-built towers, Weaving to peace and plenty, day by day, The long-drawn hours. In peace Spring freed her flocks and showered her grain, Summer sate smiling under peaceful leaves, And Autumn piled on the unwarlike wain Her sickled sheaves. And white-winged keels flew fluttering […]
Outside The Village Church poem – Alfred Austin
“The old Church doors stand open wide, Though neither bells nor anthems peal. Gazing so fondly from outside, Why do you enter not and kneel? “It is the sunset hour when all Begin to feel the need to pray, Upon our common Father call To guard the night, condone the day. “Is it proud […]
On Returning To England poem – Alfred Austin
There! once again I stand on home, Though round me still there swirls the foam, Leaping athwart the vessel’s track To bid a wanderer welcome back, And though as yet through softening haze White cliffs but vaguely greet my gaze. For, England! yours the waves, the spray, And, be one’s foothold what it may, […]
Off Mesolongi poem – Alfred Austin
The lights of Mesolongi gleam Before me, now the day is gone; And vague as leaf on drifting stream, My keel glides on. No mellow moon, no stars arise; In other lands they shine and roam: All I discern are darkening skies And whitening foam. So on those lights I gaze that seem Ghosts […]
Nocturnal Vigils poem – Alfred Austin
Why do you chide me that, when mortals yield To slumber’s charm, from sleep I ask no boon, But from my casement watch the maimëd moon Fainting behind her ineffectual shield: Unto the chime by stately planets pealed My song, my soul, my very self attune, And nightly see, what none can see at […]
Nature And the Book poem – Alfred Austin
I closed the book. The summer shower In smiling dimples ebbed away, But still on leaf, and blade, and flower, The fallen raindrops glistening lay. I placed the volume on the shelf, And, issuing from the leafy shed, Paced the moist garden by myself, Musing on what I just had read: That Man should […]
Nature And the Book poem – Alfred Austin
I closed the book. The summer shower In smiling dimples ebbed away, But still on leaf, and blade, and flower, The fallen raindrops glistening lay. I placed the volume on the shelf, And, issuing from the leafy shed, Paced the moist garden by myself, Musing on what I just had read: That Man should […]
My Winter Rose poem – Alfred Austin
Why did you come when the trees were bare? Why did you come with the wintry air? When the faint note dies in the robin’s throat, And the gables drip and the white flakes float? What a strange, strange season to choose to come, When the heavens are blind and the earth is dumb: […]
Mozart’s Grave poem – Alfred Austin
Where lies Mozart? Tradition shows A likely spot: so much, no more: No words of his own time disclose When crossed He to the Further Shore, Though later ages, roused to shame, On tardy tomb have carved his name. The sexton asked, “What may this be?” “A Kapellmeister.” “Pass it in: This common grave […]
Mozart’s Grave poem – Alfred Austin
Where lies Mozart? Tradition shows A likely spot: so much, no more: No words of his own time disclose When crossed He to the Further Shore, Though later ages, roused to shame, On tardy tomb have carved his name. The sexton asked, “What may this be?” “A Kapellmeister.” “Pass it in: This common grave […]
Messalina poem – Alfred Austin
The gloss is fading from your hair, The glamour from your brow; The light your eyes were wont to wear Attracts no gazer now. O’er sunny forehead, smiling lips, And cheeks of rosy roundness, slips A cruel, premature eclipse, Time should not yet allow. I think of one whose homestead lies A stone’s-throw from […]
Off Mesolongi poem – Alfred Austin
The lights of Mesolongi gleam Before me, now the day is gone; And vague as leaf on drifting stream, My keel glides on. No mellow moon, no stars arise; In other lands they shine and roam: All I discern are darkening skies And whitening foam. So on those lights I gaze that seem Ghosts […]
Mafeking poem – Alfred Austin
Once again, banners, fly! Clang again, bells, on high, Sounding to sea and sky, Longer and louder, Mafeking’s glory with Kimberley, Ladysmith, Of our unconquered kith Prouder and prouder. Hemmed in for half a year, Still with no succour near, Nor word of hope to cheer Wounded and dying, Famished, and foiled of sleep […]
Madonna poem – Alfred Austin
Let me, calm face, remain For ever in these sweet sequestered nooks, Remote from pain, Where leafy laurustinus overlooks The blue abounding main. Ne’er will I crave, I vow, Your loveliness despite, that we may stand More nigh than now; You, with the fresh-plucked roses in your hand, And I with inclined brow. With […]
Love’s Wisdom poem – Alfred Austin
Love, that in my mind seeks Reason’s aid. Paraphrase. I crave not love, for it would only bring Tears to your eyes, and anguish to your heart; I am in Autumn, you are still in Spring, And you must linger after I depart. Then to you Summer would scarce Summer be, Vainly for you […]
Love’s Unity poem – Alfred Austin
How can I tell thee when I love thee best? In rapture or repose? how shall I say? I only know I love thee every way, Plumed for love’s flight, or folded in love’s nest. See, what is day but night bedewed with rest? And what the night except the tired-out day? And ’tis […]
Love’s Harvest poem – Alfred Austin
Nay, do not quarrel with the seasons, dear, Nor make an enemy of friendly Time. The fruit and foliage of the failing year Rival the buds and blossoms of its prime. Is not the harvest moon as round and bright As that to which the nightingales did sing? And thou, that call’st thyself my […]
Love’s Fitfulness poem – Alfred Austin
You say that I am fitful. Sweet, ’tis true; But ’tis that I your fitfulness obey. If you are April, how can I be May, Or flaunt bright roses when you wear sad rue? Shine like the sun, and my sky will be blue; Sing, and the lark shall envy me my lay: I […]
Wordsworth At Dove Cottage poem – Alfred Austin
Wise Wordsworth, to avert your ken, From half of human fate. What is there in the ways of men, Their struggles, or their state, To make the calm recluse forswear The garden path, the fire-side chair, To journey with the Great? The narrowest hamlet lends the heart A realm as rich and wide As […]
Winter Violets poem – Alfred Austin
Here are sad flowers, with wintry weeping wet, Dews of the dark that drench the violet. Thus over Her, whom death yet more endears, Nature and Man together blend their tears. Alfred AustinAlfred Austin (1835 – 1913) was an English journalist and a poet who was appointed Poet Laureate in 1896, after an […]
The Wind Speaks poem – Alfred Austin
“In the depth of Night, on the heights of Day, Would you know where I rest or roam? In vain will you search, for I nowhere stay, And the Universe is my home. “When you think to descry on the craggy steep My skirts as I mount and flee From the wrecks I have […]
“Why should I, from this long and losing strife ” poem – Alfred Austin
Why should I, from this long and losing strife When summoned to depart, halt half-afraid? Death is full quittance for the debts of life, Discharging the account, though still unpaid. Who is it that can say he still hath met Friendship’s just claim and Duty’s punctual call? How little do we give for what […]
Why England Is Conservative poem – Alfred Austin
Because of our dear Mother, the fair Past, On whom twin Hope and Memory safely lean, And from whose fostering wisdom none shall wean Their love and faith, while love and faith shall last: Mother of happy homes and Empire vast, Of hamlets meek, and many a proud demesne, Blue spires of cottage smoke […]
Who Would Not Die For England! poem – Alfred Austin
Who would not die for England! This great thought, Through centuries of Glory handed down By storied vault in monumental fane, And homeless grave in lone barbaric lands, Homeless but not forgotten, so can thrill With its imperious call the hearts of men, That suddenly from dwarf ignoble lives They rise to heights of […]
“When the reaper lays the sickle by ” poem – Alfred Austin
When the reaper lays the sickle by, And taketh down the flail: When all we prized, and all we planned, Is ripe and stored at last, And Autumn looks across the land, And ponders on the Past. Alfred AustinAlfred Austin (1835 – 1913) was an English journalist and a poet who was appointed […]
When Runnels Began To Leap And Sing poem – Alfred Austin
When runnels began to leap and sing, And daffodil sheaths to blow, Then out of the thicket came blue-eyed Spring, And laughed at the melting snow. “It is time, old Winter, you went,” she said, And flitted across the plain, With an iris scarf around her head, And diamonded with rain. When the hawthorn […]
” When in the long–drawn avenues of Thought” poem – Alfred Austin
When in the long-drawn avenues of Thought I halt, and look before me and behind, And seek what erst I all too little sought, Some spot secure of rest, I do not find. Retrace my steps I dare not, lest each nook I late rejected should reject me now, And sweetest arbours, restlessly forsook, […]
“What ails you, Ocean, that nor near nor far” poem – Alfred Austin
The Mountains What ails you, Ocean, that nor near nor far, Find you a bourne to ease your burdened breast, But throughout time inexorable are Never at rest? With foaming mouth and fluttering crest you leap Impatiently towards never-shifting beach, Then wheel, and hurry to some distant deep Beyond your reach. Nor golden sands […]
“`Were I a Poet, I would dwell” poem – Alfred Austin
`Were I a Poet, I would dwell, Not upon lonely height, Nor cloistered in disdainful cell From human sound and sight. I would live nestled near my kind, Deep in a garden garth, That they who loved my verse might find A pathway to my hearth. `I would not sing of sceptred Kings, The […]