Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.
RetrospectAgnes Mary Frances Duclaux (Robinson-Darmesteter) (18571944)
H
All my life of long ago that lies so far asunder;
‘Here, how came I thence?’ I say, and greater grows the wonder
As I recall the farms and fields and placid hamlets yonder.
Marshy lands are kingcup-gay and bright with streams and sources,
Dew-bespangled shines the hill where half-abloom the gorse is;
And all the northern fallows steam beneath the ploughing horses.
All its garden up and down and full of hills and hollows;
Past the lawn, the sunken fence whose brink the laurel follows;
And then the knee-deep pasture where the herd for ever wallows!
’Twas the blue old-fashion’d sort that never grows in cities.
There we little children play’d and chaunted aimless ditties,
While oft th’ old grandsire looked at us and smiled his Nunc Dimittis!
Lusty fields of Warwickshire, O land of milk and honey,
Might I live to pluck again a spike of agrimony,
A silver tormentilla leaf or ladysmock upon ye!
I can see you wide awake as clearly as in dreaming,
Softer, with an inner light, and dearer, to my deeming,
Than when beside your brooks at noon I watch’d the sallows gleaming!