Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
II. Light: Day: NightMorning
John Cunningham (17291773)I
Close to partlet perched on high,
Briskly crows (the shepherd’s clock!)
Jocund that the morning’s nigh.
Shadows, nursed by night, retire:
And the peeping sunbeam now
Paints with gold the village spire.
Plaintive where she prates at night;
And the lark, to meet the morn,
Soars beyond the shepherd’s sight.
See the chattering swallow spring;
Darting through the one-arched bridge,
Quick she dips her dappled wing.
Gently greets the morning gale:
Kidlings now begin to crop
Daisies, on the dewy dale.
(Restless till her task be done),
Now the busy bee ’s employed
Sipping dew before the sun.
Where the limpid stream distils,
Sweet refreshment waits the flock
When ’t is sun-drove from the hills.
(Ere the harvest hopes are ripe)
Anxious;—whilst the huntsman’s horn,
Boldly sounding, drowns his pipe.
On the white emblossomed spray!
Nature’s universal song
Echoes to the rising day.