Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. IV. The Nineteenth Century: Wordsworth to Rossetti
John Keble (1792–1866)Extracts from The Christian Year: Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
S
Bathed in soft airs, and fed with dew,
What more than magic in you lies,
To fill the heart’s fond view?
In childhood’s sports, companions gay,
In sorrow, on Life’s downward way,
How soothing! in our last decay
Memorials prompt and true.
As pure, as fragrant, and as fair,
As when ye crowned the sunshine hours
Of happy wanderers there.
Fall’n all beside—the world of life,
How is it stained with fear and strife!
In Reason’s world what storms are rife,
What passions range and glare!
Your first and perfect form ye show,
The same that won Eve’s matron smile
In the world’s opening glow.
The stars of heaven a course are taught
Too high above our human thought;
Ye may be found if ye are sought,
And as we gaze, we know.
Our paths of sin, our homes of sorrow,
And guilty man, where’er he roams,
Your innocent mirth may borrow.
The birds of air before us fleet,
They cannot brook our shame to meet—
But we may taste our solace sweet
And come again to-morrow.
Nor may we scorn, too proudly wise,
Your silent lessons, undescried
By all but lowly eyes:
For ye could draw th’ admiring gaze
Of Him who worlds and hearts surveys:
Your order wild, your fragrant maze,
He taught us how to prize.
As when He paused and owned you good;
His blessing on earth’s primal bower,
Ye felt it all renewed.
What care ye now, if winter’s storm
Sweep ruthless o’er each silken form?
Christ’s blessing at your heart is warm,
Ye fear no vexing mood.
That daily court you and caress,
How few the happy secret find
Of your calm loveliness!
‘Live for to-day! to-morrow’s light
To-morrow’s cares shall bring to sight,
Go sleep like closing flowers at night,
And Heaven thy morn will bless.’