Farewell To Spring poem – Alfred Austin
I saw this morning, with a sudden smart, Spring preparing to depart. I know her well and so I told her all my heart. “Why did you, Spring, your coming so delay, If, now here, you cannot stay? You win my love and then unloving pass away. “We waited, waited, O so long, so […]
The Golden Age poem – Alfred Austin
Long ere the Muse the strenuous chords had swept, And the first lay as yet in silence slept, A Time there was which since has stirred the lyre To notes of wail and accents warm with fire; Moved the soft Mantuan to his silvery strain, And him who sobbed in pentametric pain; To which […]
“The flower, full blown, now bends the stalk, now breaks” poem – Alfred Austin
The flower, full blown, now bends the stalk, now breaks; The mellow fruit inclines the bough to earth; The brow which thought impregnates ofttimes aches; Death-stricken is the womb in giving birth. Cracked is the vase by heat which doth illume, The driest logs the swiftest burn to nought, Sweet flowers are stifled by […]
The Fallen Elm poem – Alfred Austin
The popinjay screamed from tree to tree, Then was lost in the burnished leaves; The sky was as blue as a southern sea, And the swallow came back to the eaves. So I followed the sound of pipe and bleat To the glade where my dear old Elm, With head majestic and massive feet, […]
The Evening Light poem – Alfred Austin
I Angels their silvery trumpets blow, At dawn, to greet the Morning Glow, And mortals lift adoring eyes To see the glorious sun arise. Then, winged by Faith, and spurred by Hope Youth scans the hill, youth scales the slope. Its pulses bound, its thoughts exult, It finds no danger difficult, Quickens its pace, […]
The Dregs Of Love poem – Alfred Austin
Think you that I will drain the dregs of Love, I who have quaffed the sweetness on its brink? Now by the steadfast burning stars above, Better to faint of thirst than thuswise drink. What! shall we twain who saw love’s glorious fires Flame toward the sky and flush Heaven’s self with light, Crouch […]
The Door Of Humility poem – Alfred Austin
ENGLAND We lead the blind by voice and hand, And not by light they cannot see; We are not framed to understand The How and Why of such as He; But natured only to rejoice At every sound or sign of hope, And, guided by the still small voice, In patience through the darkness […]
The Death Of Huss poem – Alfred Austin
In the streets of Constance was heard the shout, “Masters! bring the arch-heretic out!” The stake had been planted, the faggots spread, And the tongues of the torches flickered red. “Huss to the flames!” they fiercely cried: Then the gate of the Convent opened wide. Into the sun from the dark he came, His […]
The Dance At Darmstadt poem – Alfred Austin
In the city of Darmstadt, the Sabbath morn Shone over the broad Cathedral Square, And to nobly, richly, and lowly born, The belfry carilloned call to prayer. Then banker, and burgher, and learn’d in law, With clean-cut forehead and firm-set jaw, Master, and prentice, and tradesman trim, Pikemen stalwart of port and limb, Pledged […]
The Challenge Answered poem – Alfred Austin
So at length the word is uttered which the vain Gaul long hath muttered ‘Twixt his teeth, by envy fluttered at another land being great; And the dogs of war are loosèd, and the carnagestream unsluicèd, That the might of France abusèd may torment the world like Fate. O thou nation, base, besotted, whose […]
The Aquittal Of Phryne poem – Alfred Austin
When Athens challenged Phryne to confess Eleusis’ self sufficed not to appal Her impious tread, and, throned within their Hall, The awful judges frowned on her distress, Slowly her lovely limbs she did undress, Swathe upon swathe, fold after fold, let fall, Until she stood, absolved, before them all, Clad in her clear convincing […]
“Take not the Gods to task, for they are wise” poem – Alfred Austin
Take not the Gods to task, for they are wise When they refuse no less than when they grant. Thou canst but know, with all thy bursting sighs, What is thy whim, but never what thy want. Did they, to smite thine importunity, Answer each swift unregulated prayer, Oh, what accursèd trudger woulds thou […]
Sweet Love Is Dead poem – Alfred Austin
Sweet Love is dead: Where shall we bury him? In a green bed, With no stone at his head, And no tears nor prayers to worry him. Do you think he will sleep, Dreamless and quiet? Yes, if we keep Silence, nor weep O’er the grave where the ground-worms riot. By his tomb let […]
Sorrow’s Importunity poem – Alfred Austin
When Sorrow first came wailing to my door, April rehearsed the madrigal of May; And, as I ne’er had seen her face before, I kept on singing, and she went her way. When next came Sorrow, life was winged with scent Of glistening laurel and full-blossoming bay: I asked, but understood not, what she […]
Songs From “Prince Lucifer” I – Grave-Digger’s Song poem – Alfred Austin
THE CRAB, the bullace, and the sloe, They burgeon in the Spring; And, when the west wind melts the snow, The redstarts build and sing. But Death’s at work in rind and root, And loves the green buds best; And when the pairing music’s mute, He spares the empty nest. Death! Death! Death is […]
Songs From “Prince Lucifer” II – Mother-Song poem – Alfred Austin
WHITE little hands! Pink little feet! Dimpled all over, Sweet, sweet, sweet! What dost thou wail for? The unknown? the unseen? The ills that are coming, The joys that have been? Cling to me closer, Closer and closer, Till the pain that is purer Hath banish’d the grosser. Drain, drain at the stream, love, […]
Songs From “Prince Lucifer” I – Grave-Digger’s Song poem – Alfred Austin
THE CRAB, the bullace, and the sloe, They burgeon in the Spring; And, when the west wind melts the snow, The redstarts build and sing. But Death’s at work in rind and root, And loves the green buds best; And when the pairing music’s mute, He spares the empty nest. Death! Death! Death is […]
Since We Must Die poem – Alfred Austin
Though we must die, I would not die When fields are brown and bleak, When wild-geese stream across the sky, And the cart-lodge timbers creak. For it would be so lone and drear To sleep beneath the snow, When children carol Christmas cheer, And Christmas rafters glow. Nor would I die, though we must […]
“`Shepherd swains that feed your flocks” poem – Alfred Austin
`Shepherd swains that feed your flocks ‘Mong the grassy-rooted rocks, While I still see sun and moon, Grant to me this simple boon: As I sit on craggy seat, And your kids and young lambs bleat, Let who on the pierced pipe blows Play the sweetest air he knows. And, when I no more […]
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 […]
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 […]