Poems

Here on their knees men swore: the stones were black,Black in the people's minds and words, yet theyWere at that time, as now, in colour grey.But what is colour, if upon the rackOf conscience souls are placed by deeds that lackConcord with oaths? What differ night and dayThen, when before the Perjured on his wayHell opens, and the heavens in vengeance crackAbove his head … [Read more...] about The Black Stones Of Iona, By: William Wordsworth

When Love was born of heavenly line,What dire intrigues disturbed Cythera's joy!Till Venus cried, "A mother's heart is mine;None but myself shall nurse my boy," But, infant as he was, the childIn that divine embrace enchanted lay;And, by the beauty of the vase beguiled,Forgot the beverage--and pined away. "And must my offspring languish in my sight?"(Alive to all a … [Read more...] about The Birth Of Love, By: William Wordsworth

Avon, a precious, an immortal name!Yet is it one that other rivulets bearLike this unheard-of, and their channels wearLike this contented, though unknown to Fame:For great and sacred is the modest claimOf Streams to Nature's love, where'er they flow;And ne'er did Genius slight them, as they go,Tree, flower, and green herb, feeding without blame.But Praise can waste her voice on … [Read more...] about The Avon, By: William Wordsworth

I You have heard "a Spanish LadyHow she wooed an English man;"Hear now of a fair Armenian,Daughter of the proud Soldan;How she loved a Christian slave, and told her painBy word, look, deed, with hope that he might love again. II "Pluck that rose, it moves my liking,"Said she, lifting up her veil;"Pluck it for me, gentle gardener,Ere it wither and grow pale.""Princess … [Read more...] about The Armenian Lady’s Love, By: William Wordsworth

I Where art thou, my beloved Son,Where art thou, worse to me than dead?Oh find me, prosperous or undone!Or, if the grave be now thy bed,Why am I ignorant of the sameThat I may rest; and neither blameNor sorrow may attend thy name? II Seven years, alas! to have receivedNo tidings of an only child;To have despaired, have hoped, believed,And been for evermore … [Read more...] about The Affliction Of Margaret, By: William Wordsworth